ded and cornered. Even a sneaking fox will turn on you if he
sees there is no other way out of his difficulty."

"I'll remember that," answered both Joe and Darry, and they did
remember, and thus was one peril of big-game hunting abolished.

Darry felt too weak for the time being to do much, so Joe led him back
to where they had left the horses, while Captain Moore and old Benson
took upon themselves the task of bringing in the four deer. Each was a
beautiful prize, and the quartet made an imposing sight when hung up on
a couple of tree branches.

"The colonel will like this haul," said the young captain. "It will mean
prime venison for some days to come. Benson, I wish we could get some of
it back to the fort without delay--so we can put it on ice and keep it
nice."

"I'll take 'em all to the fort to-night, if you say so," answered the
scout. "I can take one on my horse, and load the other three on one of
the other animals."

"Then do that, and while at the fort ask the colonel if he will give me
permission to remain out until Saturday. Tell him we think we can bring
in something for all hands to enjoy."

"I'll do it," said the old scout.

Soon the deer were packed on the horses, old Benson having first cut
some steaks from the smallest of the game, to leave behind.

"Take good care of yourselves while I am gone," he said on departing.
"And you, Joe and Darry, mind what I told you about getting cornered."
Then he was off, and a turn in the mountain trail soon hid him from
view.

"A fine old fellow," was Joe's comment, when Benson was gone.

"He is that," answered the young captain. "I liked him from the first
time I saw him, and I have never had cause to regret it. He is a good
hunter, an excellent scout, and has done us many a good turn."

"What shall we do while he is absent?" questioned Darry.

"Oh, we can try our hand at small game and we can fish!" answered the
young captain. "As it is, I reckon both of you would just as lief take
it easy until morning."

"I would. That deer on me has made me feel sore all over."

They were soon in camp again, and while the boys rested Captain Moore
stirred around and showed them how the soldiers prepared their meals. He
cooked the steaks to a turn, and boiled a pot of coffee, and these, with
some crackers they had brought along, made a most excellent meal. Being
in no hurry, they took their time over the repast, and it was dark long
before they finished.

"It's