his is where he meant to put his fish to keep
them fresh for the barbecue. Of these he felt sure, for the plantation
lay along a noble "run," abounding with creatures. He captured his fish
in a way not sportsman-like--by nets and night-hooks; but then there was
need of expedition, for there were only two days to the Fourth. When he
went to look at his lines, he always took his rifle and Rover; he might,
per-chance, encounter some game. The first day he shot a red squirrel.
But the next day--oh, the next day! It was late in the afternoon when he
went to the run. He was about descending the bluff which overhung one of
his lines, when he saw something that made his heart stand still, and
then leap as though it would jump from his body. He was never so excited
in his life. There, with its nostrils in the water, was a strange
animal. In an instant, he knew it. Rover, too, knew it, and gave a low
growl. Quickly Marley put his hand on the dog's head, and whispered,
"Down, Rover, down! good fellow, down!" But the wary creature at the
drink had heard something. Two antlers were suddenly flung up, and a
face turned to windward. Marley, with his knee on Rover, hardly dared to
breathe, yet aimed his rifle. "Down, Rover! good dog, down!" he again
whispered. Then the sharp crack of the rifle broke the silence, and
Marley, on his feet, strained his eager eyes through the smoke. Was that
a fallen deer, or was it the shadow of cypress-knees? He and Rover went
running and leaping to the spot. Yes, he had killed a fine buck with ten
tines. He was a happy boy, you may believe. Here was a contribution to
the barbecue worthy of the glorious day. When he had turned the animal
over and over, and wondered where it came from, and how it happened to
be there alone, he left Rover to guard it, and hurried back for help to
get it home. He ran every step of the way. Then, mounted on black Betts,
and accompanied by Jim, he returned to the heroic spot, and there found
the faithful Rover and his dead charge. The game was strapped behind
Marley's saddle, and old Betts was made to go galloping back to the
house. Then, after everybody had looked at the deer, and handled it in
every possible way, and wondered about it, and Marley had told over and
over the story of the shooting, the game was dressed and put down in the
spring-house, to keep cool for the morrow, which was the Fourth.

Marley rose early the next morning, and waked Aunt Silvy by firing his
rifl