Part 11 (2/2)

”P'raps you'll say I'oes, Thad

It just struck o back to where we lost our deer, and do a little trailing on our own account The to hide their tracks, and chances are they've gone into camp to eat some of that venison by this time, if not sooner”

Thad s Step Hen talk in this strain; for only too plainly did he remember hohite the other had been, and how even his voice tre those three poachers

”And after we've ed to track them to their camp, what then?” he demanded

Step Hen looked wonderfully brave as he instantly replied:

”Why, we uard, and hold 'es to _me_, and I'd just like to have it the worst kind, especially that head, with the six-pronged antlers on it But if you thought that proposition a little too risky, Thad, e ot plumb dark Then we could carry off asthe head; and them fellers not be any the wiser for it, till it was too late to follow us! How's that?”

Thad nearly had his breath taken away by the boldness of Step Hen's astonishi+ng proposals He looked at the other, and a smile spread coave a little whistle, that somehow caused Step Hen to turn a bit red in the face

”Whew!” ejaculated Thad, ”I never before suspected what a fire-eater you could be, Step Hen Why, nothing fazes you, nowadays I believe you'd be ready to snap your fingers in the faces of a dozen of the worst rascals that ever hid up here in the piney woods of Maine But I'm afraid that's too risky a job for me to back up, as the leader of the patrol I feel the burden of responsibility too much to allow it What could I say to your father and mother if there was no Step Hen to answer to the roll-call, e mustered out after this Maine hunt? So, on the whole, Step Hen, much as I hate to disappoint you, I'm afraid I'll have to put a daht, Thad,” quickly remarked the other, with an evident vein of relief in his voice; ”I was only telling you what came into my head

You see, that's the ith ood sense won't let me try to carry them out So we'll just continue our old hunt; and hope another buck ht But if one does, please let fly the saht to take any chances of his getting away You will, won't you, Thad?”

”Why, yes, I think I'm entitled to a shot by now, Step Hen,” replied the other; ”seeing that I held back purposely, so as to let you have all the glory of getting that first prize But as you say, we need venison; and the next tiether so's to , Thad”

Since Step Hen was so set upon doing everything in their power to retrieve the misfortune that had come upon them earlier in the day, by means of which they had lost the first deer, Thad meant to try his level best in order to run across another like prize

Whenever he saw a piece of ground that looked ardless of distance or direction

Little Thad cared as to whether they were able to return to cahts in the open, not to feel certain that he could e to be at least fairly comfortable And then, too, Thad had the hunter's instinct pretty fully developed, and thought little of fatigue when pursuing his favorite sport

They kept an to be pretty well spent Thad would not think of offering again to head toward the ca as Step Hen made no complaint He could not afford to be outdone by a tenderfoot, and he the patrol leader at that

Indeed, the gray of evening had co than before, they ca down in the bushes

The deer sprang away like lightning, and perhaps it was just as well that Step Hen had asked his co buck ht

So close together did the two lads fire that the reports blended, though the louder bang of the smooth-bore partly drowned the sharper report of the little repeating rifle

Thad started to run forward, holding his gun in readiness for a second discharge, if such were needed Step Hen trailed along after hiun; and likeevery which way to work the siet the weapon in serviceable condition again

”Oh! _did_ we get him, Thad?” he cried; for possibly the se had interfered with his vision, and he did not knohether the deer had dropped, or sped unharive him the contents of his second barrel

”Looks like we'll have venison for supper to-night, anyway,” laughed Thad

And then, Step Hen, looking round, which he realizedkick of their quarry

His spirits arose at once, and he gave a hoop of joy