y of nerve and coolness that w

teeth snapped shut on the thick, furry collar of his overcoat.

th the other he reached for the long hunting-knife that dangled from his bel

sh and skin. A vital part was reached at last. With a gurgl

rang to his feet. His clothes were thickly smeared

ually trying ordeal. It will be remembered that he

t that he had just vacated was struck by the vicious hoofs and antlers. He rolled still further, a

he shouted. "S

till at his heels, he da

ew York lad showed of what

his rifle. The blow landed on the antlers, and its only effect was to check the buck f

lad had just put his knife away, and was still a little dazed. But he realized his peril, an

r, and his quick wits told

cried. "Circle around,

s rifle, which lay

not being able to see behind him, he made a natural error. Had he veered to the right, he would have circled toward Jerry,

n me," Hamp cri

mething wrong with the hammer of his gun. But Brick made himself ready in time. He slippe

forest. The buck staggered. His forelegs gave way. With a gas

il they were fairly hoarse. Hamp drew his knife, and sprang astride

ped Brick

have done it better myself. It was Hamp's only ch

s. He looked at the buck,

kill him?" he ga

ween the foreshoulders. It must have pierced the heart. You've

Tom Fordham was here now. He said I'd

gh," said Hamp. "

was a plucky thing to rush

estly protested. "You would

as examined with wonder, and they removed the scalp, in order to claim the State bo

Brick. "I wouldn't go bac

lied Jerry. "Now, then,

adland was recommenced. The heavily-la

lynx or wolverine, and Hamp agreed with him. A little later something more serious occurred. Three hungry wolves stole out of the forest and down to the ice. They evidently scented the ca

to this," said Jer

en the trio of scavengers next approached as

brutes were slightly crippled. All three fl

mes the great stretch of ice-bound lake cracked like a pistol-shot. The boys were anxious to

oice camping facilities. They picked on a shallow ravine that was comparatively open and ran back into the forest for

icating a weather-worn block of granite that was almost square in s

t's wise to build right in the trough of this ravine. A heavy st

ve any big snowstorms, either. You know your father said there were indications of an open winter. Besides, it

oined in Brick, "but this hollow lo

d himself to

"We'll take the chance

in front of the rock was quickly cleare

vision, the lean-to rapidly assumed shape. Nails were freely used to strengthen it. Soft pine boughs

rked on by lantern light. The exercise made them feel quite wa

It had a small doorway, that could be closed by buttoning a stri

if we were at home," declared Jerry

wind on three sides," added Hamp. "

k, in a tone of such earnest alarm

ed into the cabin, and arranged in place. Then all three of the boys set to work on the deer, and partially sk

nd tired lads sat around the blazing logs appeasing their appetites with crisp venison, and fried potatoes, and crackers, and steaming coffee, they felt that their happiness was complete. It was past ten o'c