was
pulled down and there was the little tree glittering with lights and
tinsel and hung with the gifts which the boys had brought. There was a
delighted gasp from Pat, Alec and Sparrer and then a silence that was a
tribute in itself as they watched the colored candles gradually shorten.
The truth is it was the first Christmas tree within the experience of
any one of the three, and they were as delighted as any children could
have been.

When the candles had burned down to the danger point Hal blew them out
and then distributed the gifts, which were opened amid much hilarity
and fun making.

"This makes up for the stockings this morning," he laughed as the others
showered him with fulsome praise.

"It more than makes up," declared Pat. "'Tis a Christmas I'll never
forget." Then as he lovingly fingered a long desired book sent in by
Doctor Merriam he added: "But when did you think of the tree idea? Was
it in New York?"

Hal nodded. "The idea came to me the very day we left. Saw a window full
of tree fixings and on the impulse ran in and got the candles and
tinsel. Glad you like it."

An hour of story-telling followed ere they turned in and silence like a
Christmas benediction settled over the cabin.

CHAPTER XII

A DEER YARD

"Would you fellows like to visit a deer yard?" Pat asked at breakfast
the next morning when the subject of the day's program had been brought
up.

"Would we!" Upton fairly shouted it. "Say, Pat, do you mean that there
is a really, truly sure enough deer yard anywhere near here? I've read
about 'em, and I'd give all my old shoes to see one."

"Right O, my fine bucko! You shall see one, and it won't cost you so
much as a shoestring," replied Pat. "It's not over a mile from camp, and
on the ridge just above it is one of those deadfalls for bear that Alec
built last fall. We'll take that in and kill two birds with one stone if
you say so. There are some marten traps on that same ridge that I want
to have a look at. What do you say, Alec?"

"Verra good," replied Alec. "You show the laddies the yard and look over
that line, and I'll take the short line east. We'll get back here by
noon and this afternoon we can show them some other sets."

To this plan the others agreed with enthusiasm and preparations for an
immediate start were begun. "Shall we take rifles?" asked Hal eagerly.

"For what?" demanded Pat. "We be going to visit a deer yard, and 'twould
be tempting fate and flying