“Three deer! Why, David, you are getting quite a man!” said Kasba, with a proud smile, changing the subject.
“Yes, and I have something very funny to tell you,” he said quickly, forgetting his previous agitation in his excitement.
Kasba gave him a smile of encouragement, while he curled himself up comfortably at her feet, gazing up into her face with bright, eager eyes.
“And what is this very funny thing you have to tell me?” she asked, with lively interest, playfully pinching his ear.
“Well,” he began seriously, “I was near the ‘big lake,’ you know.”
The girl nodded.
“I was watching a large buck deer. He was windward of me and came right up close, quite unconscious of my presence.” He paused and the girl nodded again comprehendingly. “Go on,” she said.
“Well,” continued the boy, “I raised my rifle and was about to fire when I heard a slight noise at my back. I looked, and there on the edge of the lake I saw three large wolves.”
The girl started and drew in her breath sharply. “Three?” she asked, bending over and placing her hand on his.
“Yes, three,” repeated the boy. “They were watching the deer, too, and acting so strangely that I lowered my rifle and waited to see what they would do. Presently two of them crouched down while the other made off. Keeping out of sight it slunk along till it got behind the deer, then the buck ‘winded’ it and sprang away straight to where the two other wolves were crouching.” The boy paused for breath.