Part 4 (2/2)

It will be re buck

Doubling himself like a ball, he rolled several feet over the smooth ice An instant later the spot that he had just vacated was struck by the vicious hoofs and antlers He rolled still further, and staggered to his feet His rifle was out of reach, and the shelter of the shore was equally so

”Help! help!” he shouted ”Soeful buck still at his heels, he dashed blindly toward Brick

Then it was that the ra York lad showed of what sterling stuff he was made

He e animal with the stock of his rifle The blow landed on the antlers, and its only effect was to check the buck for a few seconds Then Brick and Jerry fled in opposite directions to get out of reach

The consequence was that the anie snort The lad had just put his knife away, and was still a little dazed But he realized his peril, and knew that he had not time to pick up his rifle At his top speed he ran blindly over the ice

Jerry was now out of danger, and his quick wits told hi to do

”Run faster, Hamp,” he cried ”Circle around, and come back this way”

Then he made for his rifle, which lay within several yards

Hamp heard, and was cheered By a sudden spurt he increased his speed

He actually gained several feet on the buck Then, not being able to see behind hiht, he would have circled toward Jerry, and given him a shot Instead, he turned to the left, and bore rapidly down on Brick, as hardly prepared for theon me,” Hamp cried ”Help! help!”

The lad's situation was truly critical Jerry was so with the haun But Brick made himself ready in time He slipped a few feet to one side, and lifted his rifle A brief hesitation, then the trigger fell

Bang! The shrill report echoed across the lake and through the forest

The buck staggered His forelegs gave way With a gasping moan he toppled over, and his life-blood stained the ice

No words can tell the delight of the young hunters They cheered until they were fairly hoarse Ha anile pass he slit its throat

Jerry slapped Brick on the back

”That was a grand shot,” he exclaimed ”I couldn't have done it better myself It was Haed with snow”

Brick was almost speechless He looked at the buck, and then at his coasped ”Is he dead?”

”Dead as a door nail,” assured Hamp ”See, the ball went in between the foreshoulders It must have pierced the heart You've shot the first deer, Brick, and it's so to be proud of”

”I know it is,” admitted Brick ”I wish Toet how to shoot when I saw a deer”

”You didn't, though,” said Hamp ”You saved my life”

”Andto rush in between me and the buck”

”It wasn't much,” Brick modestly protested ”You would have done the same for me”