big game confronts you. You
know you have the best of a bird or squirrel, or anything like that.
But when it comes to a buffalo, or a bear----"

"I know all about bears," interrupted Joe, and at this there was a
general laugh. "If I ever meet another bear I want to be well prepared
for him," he continued.

"Generally a wild animal won't fight," went on the young captain. "But
when one is cornered he is apt to get very ugly; eh, Benson?"

"Right you are, captain. I was once cornered by a buffalo, and had all I
could do to save myself."

The old scout calculated that they would strike some game that
afternoon, and he was not mistaken. About two o'clock they sighted
several deer far up the hillside.

"Fine, plump animals," said Benson. "If we get a couple of them we can
be well satisfied."

It was decided that they should move around in a semicircle, so as to
get to leeward of the herd.

"If we don't do that, the deer will scent us and be off in no time,"
explained Captain Moore.

Their horses were tethered in the brush, near some trees, and the party
of four started out on foot. The way was rough, but the boys did not
mind this. Their sole thought was upon the deer, and each resolved to
bring down one of the game, no matter at what cost.

It was no light task to reach a spot from which to shoot. They had to
cross several depressions on the hillside, and here the undergrowth was
so heavy that progress at times seemed impossible. Once Darry went into
a hole up to his waist, and came out with several rents in his coat,
where the thorns had clung to him.

"Oh!" he muttered. "Oh!"

"Are you hurt?" questioned Joe quickly.

"Not much, but I reckon I'm a good deal scratched up," answered Darry,
with a wry face.

At last they gained a point well to leeward of the quarry, and Benson
brought the party to a halt.

"We'll creep in as far as we can," he said. "But keep your guns ready
for use, and as soon as one fires the others had best fire too, for the
deer won't wait after one shot. Which will you take, captain?"

"I'll take the one near the big rock," answered Captain Moore. "Joe, you
had better take the one on the knoll."

"I will."

"I'll take the one rubbing his side with his prong," put in Darry.

"And I'll take the one coming through the brush," finished old Benson.
"Now then, forward. Make no noise, and be sure your gun doesn't go off
and hit somebody else instead of the deer."

Rifles in hand, the