At last Snap felt they must be close to where Shep had seen the game, and he motioned for the doctor's son to take the lead.
"You saw 'em—-you ought to have first chance at 'em," he whispered.
"I want you all to fire," was the reply.
An instant later came a faint sound ahead, and looking through the trees, the four boy hunters saw three deer walking swiftly along. One was a beautiful doe not more than half grown.
"There is our chance!" cried Shep, excitedly. "Now then, all together!"
Snap wanted to know what animal he was to fire at, but got no chance to ask, for just then one of the deer raised its head and sniffed the air suspiciously. Then the two large ones began to run with the doe at their heels.
Crack! bang! went the rifle and shotguns, as the young hunters took hasty aim. When the smoke cleared away they saw the doe stretched on the ground and one of the deer limping forward painfully. The other deer was out of sight.
"Come on—-we can get that wounded one!" cried Whopper, and ran forward with might and main.
As it happened the wounded deer was the mother of the doe, and the wound, and the loss of its offspring, made the animal savage. As Whopper turned towards it, the deer suddenly made for the boy.
"Look out!" yelled Snap, but before Whopper could turn aside the deer was on him and had knocked him to the ground. Then the deer struck out with its hoofs, landing on Whopper's shoulder and cheek.