Part 22 (1/2)
CHAPTER XV
A CRY FOR HELP
Making as little noise as possible, the other lads followed Gif back into the woods and then along a snow-laden trail skirting the clearing.
Less than two minutes' walk brought the young hunters to a spot where were located a series of rough rocks, and here Gif motioned for his companions to halt.
”I think you will find the rabbits in the hollow just on the other side of these rocks,” he whispered. ”Now get you guns ready before you show yourselves.”
Slowly and cautiously they mounted the rocks and then lay down in the snow on top. They peered into the hollow below, and presently made out the forms of at least a dozen rabbits running to and fro, evidently trying to find something among the trees and bushes opposite that would be fit to eat.
”We might as well fire all at the same time,” said Jack. ”Because after the first shot those bunnies will do their best to get to cover.”
It was quickly decided that some of the hunters should shoot at the rabbits directly ahead, while others were to shoot at those to the right or to the left.
It must be admitted that Fred and Andy were trembling with excitement, and Randy was also agitated. The others were quite calm, or else they did not allow their real feelings to show. It was decided that Jack should give the order to fire.
”All right,” said the oldest Rover boy. ”Now take aim, and when I say three, shoot.”
There were several seconds of silence during which all of the young hunters got in readiness to shoot. Then, while they were still aiming their weapons, one of the rabbits suddenly stopped running around and sat upright, directly facing them, with his long ears pointed skyward.
”Quick!” exclaimed Jack excitedly. ”They see us! One--two--three! Fire!”
The six shotguns spoke almost as one piece, and as the reports echoed across the clearing and through the woods, several of the rabbits were seen to leap into the air and then fall back lifeless. Several others were seriously wounded, and these were speedily put out of their misery by a second shot from Gif and Spouter.
”Hurrah! Seven rabbits!” exclaimed Fred, running forward. ”That's what I call a pretty good start.”
”Come on, let us go after the others! Leave these where they are,” cried Jack, and plunged into the wood where he had seen several of the rabbits seeking refuge. He managed to bring down one of them, and Randy brought down another. The others got away.
”Nine rabbits is by no means a bad haul,” was Gif's comment, after the boys had brought the dead game together.
”Enough for a splendid potpie, and then some,” came from Spouter.
”Do you suppose we can get any more?” exclaimed Andy. He was quite certain he had brought down one of the bunnies.
”We can try, Andy,” answered Gif. ”It isn't late yet, and the snow isn't so deep but what it might be deeper.”
Having divided the rabbits between them, so that each lad might carry some of the game, they moved forward, across the little clearing, and then through the woods for the best part of a quarter of a mile. During that time they saw several squirrels, but were unable to get a shot at the frisky animals.
”A squirrel is as quick as they make 'em,” declared Gif. ”You've got to act like lightning to catch 'em.”
By this time it was snowing so heavily that all concluded it would be a wise move to return to Cedar Lodge. The wind was rising, shaking the tops of the trees violently and causing a strange moaning sound through the thickets which was anything but pleasant.
”I'd hate to be caught out here all alone and in the darkness,” remarked Randy to Fred, as they trudged along.
”Would give a fellow the creeps, wouldn't it?” was the reply.
As they continued on their way they kept their eyes wide open for the possible appearance of more game. But no animals showed themselves, nor did they see any birds circling through the snow, which seemed every moment to be coming down thicker than ever.
”If this snow continues and the wind keeps on rising, we'll have a regular blizzard before morning,” announced Gif.