CHAPTER XXV

SURROUNDED BY WOLVES

From Jack Dalton the boys had heard of a beautiful silver deer, said to be roaming the woods on the hills back of Firefly Lake, and Whopper and Giant talked a great deal of going after the game and seeing if they could not lay the deer low.

“I know we can do it if only we can spot the animal,” said Giant.  “And think what a feather it will be in our cap.”

“I am going after that deer, even if the others won’t go,” added Whopper, and so it was finally decided that Whopper and the small youth should go in quest of the silver deer, while Snap and Shep remained at the camp, to try their hands at erecting a trap for beavers and also some traps for birds.  It may be added that deep in the woods they had erected a bear-fall and baited the same, but so far no bear had shown himself in that vicinity, although the wolves had stolen the bait on two occasions.

In order to be prepared for big game, Whopper and Giant took along one shotgun and the rifle, and also a hunting-knife.  One game-bag was filled with provisions, for they did not know how long the outing would last.

The boys started off in the best of spirits, taking to a trail the old hunter had pointed out to them.  There had been a flurry of snow during the night, but this was soon melted by the sun which, at breakfast time, had come out as brightly as ever.

“What a beautiful spot this is!” said Giant, gazing back to the lake before plunging into the woods.  “It is strange that so few folks come up here to camp.”

“Well, it’s lucky for us,” answered Whopper.  “We shouldn’t care for many—–­especially of the Andrew Felps kind.”

“Oh, don’t mention him, Whopper.  It makes me angry to think of him, and I don’t want my day’s fun spoiled.”

Soon the vicinity of the lake was left behind, and then the boys began to climb the first rise of ground.  Fortunately, the trail was good and they made rapid progress.  Arriving at the top of the hill, they gazed around eagerly.

“Nothing in sight so far,” said Whopper, after a long pause.

“Well, the day is young yet,” was the hopeful answer.

Again they went on, and this time scared up several rabbits and also several animals they could not name, so quickly did they disappear again.  The boys did not fire, however, being determined to do nothing to scare the deer away, should the game be within hearing.

When, about noon, they came to a clear spring of water, they were glad enough to sit down and rest and partake of their noonday lunch, washing it down with copious draughts of water.

“Folks can say what they please,” remarked Whopper, smacking his lips.  “When one is good and dry, nothing is so satisfying as a drink of plain, clear water.”

“You’re right there, Whopper.  How some men can prefer liquor is beyond my comprehension.”