They pushed on diligently for a long time. Dick was not in doubt as to his course, for he had taken particular pains to notice as they came along on the preceding day, in the company of the Indians.
When Roger happened to ask once if he were quite sure the river lay directly ahead of them, Dick answered confidently.
“Unless it makes a great sweep to the north somewhere above us we will run upon the river by nightfall, take my word for it;” and Roger, accustomed to depending fully on his comrade, never doubted after that moment.
Something else was soon upon his mind, however, and he voiced his thoughts by appealing to Dick.
“Do you think it would be dangerous if you shot your gun off just once, in case we sighted some game? I feel very hungry, for that supper the Indians gave us didn’t seem to do me much good. And breakfast is one of my best meals, you know.”
Dick laughed at seeing the appealing look on his chum’s face.
“I don’t think the danger of the shot’s being heard is one-half as great as you think you are of starving to death,” he told Roger.
“Then you agree, do you?” demanded the other, eagerly. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled for sight of a deer, and I do hope it isn’t going to be long before we get a chance at one.”
As luck would have it, before another ten minutes had passed the opportunity he was hoping for came their way. Dick was ready, and with the report of his gun a yearling doe fell in a heap, just when in the act of plunging into the dense thicket.
Of course Roger would not think of any delay in getting a fire going and some of the tender meat broiling before the flames. While he looked after the fire Dick cut up the game, and it was not long before an appetizing odor began to make both boys wishful for the feast to begin.