imself in a
thicket, with the deer fairly on top of him. He caught his firearm by
the barrel and hit the animal a resounding blow on the head. This made
the deer stagger back and pause.

"Help! help!" yelled the boy. "Somebody shoot this beast!"

"I'm coming!" came in Captain Moore's voice. "Where are you?"

"Here, in the bush! Quick, or he'll stick me to death!"

The deer was now charging with lowered head. He was in a fearful rage.
As he came on there was a sharp report, and the young captain burst into
view, his rifle barrel still smoking. Then the deer gave one last leap
into the air, and came down upon Darry. The fall knocked the boy
senseless.

While Captain Moore was removing the weight from Darry's body, the old
scout came up, followed by Joe.

"Hullo, he got it, did he?" said Benson. "Is he badly hurt?"

"I hope not," answered the young captain. "You see, the deer didn't
touch him until I fired. Then he leaped up and knocked my cousin down."

"Hope there aint any bones broken."

The deer was removed, and Benson went off to get some water. When he
came back Captain Moore and Joe were rubbing Darry's wrists. The water
was dashed into the unconscious youth's face, and soon he gave a gasp
and opened his eyes.

"The deer?" were his first words.

"You are safe," said the captain reassuringly. "The deer is dead."

"Oh!" Darry uttered a sigh of relief. "I was thinking he was goring me
to pieces."

"You had a narrow escape," put in old Benson. "If it hadn't been for the
captain he would have mauled you for certain. Didn't you hear me yell to
be careful?"

"I thought it would be an easy matter to bring him down, after he was
wounded," said Darry, still gasping for breath.

"Any bones broken?" questioned Captain Moore.

"I--I guess not." Darry gave a sigh and sat up. "How did Joe make out?"

"I am all right," answered that individual. "Benson did the trick for me
though. Benson, I owe you a good deal."

"And I owe you a good deal," said Darry, turning to his cousin.

"I'm glad I came up, Darry," answered the young captain. "After this
both you and Joe must be more careful. If either of you had been killed
I would never have forgiven myself for bringing you out on the hunt."

"I want to give you both a bit of advice, and I want you to remember it
too," came from the old scout. "Never get too close to big game until
you are certain of what you are doing, and be extry careful of big game
that is woun