Out with Gun and Camera Part 22

"They are only windy at certain times of the year," answered the doctor's son. "But when it blows, why, it blows, so Jed Sanborn said."

"Then we'll have to put our tent up good and strong," came from Whopper. "We don't want to wake up some night and find ourselves blown into the middle of next year!"

"And dying to know how we are going to get back," added Giant dryly.

"Giant, if you say dying again---" began Whopper.

"Save your wind, boys!" interrupted Shep. "We've got a long and hard climb before us."

What the doctor's son said about the climb was true---the way was a steady pull upward, and they had frequently to stop to get their breath. It was nearly eleven o'clock when they reached the top of the hill. They had been on the upgrade for three hours.

"Let us rest until after dinner," said Snap. "No use killing ourselves."

"We've still got some miles to go," answered Shep.

"I know it---but it will be mostly down grade---at least, until we reach the foot of the mountains."

It was decided to rest, and all of the young hunters willingly slipped their loads and sat down. Below them was Firefly Lake, with Lake Cameron in the distance on one side and Lake Narsac in the distance on the other. Back of them lay the Windy Mountains, with a hollow of trees and bushes between. The boys viewed the mountains with interest, thinking of the outing they hoped to have there.

CHAPTER XIV

AFTER DEER WITH GUN AND CAMERA

"I hope we strike a good camping spot by night," said Snap, "for, unless I miss my guess, it will rain before morning."

"Oh, don't say rain!" cried Giant. "We can do without rain."

"It may not be a lasting storm, but some rain will come, mark my words."

"I think I see the trail up the mountains," said Whopper, who was looking through a pair of fieldgla.s.ses. "Anyway, it's path of some kind."

The others gave a look, and all decided that Whopper was right.

Resuming their loads after the noonday repast, they started down the hill in the direction of Windy Mountains. They had some big bare rocks to cover, and slipped and slid over these as best they could, and then plunged straight into a thick woods.

"Ought to be hunting here, if anywhere," observed Shep. "Looks as if it was new ground for sportsmen."

"Beware of sink holes!" cried Whopper as he reached a rather soft spot. "We don't want to go down as we did the other time we were out."

"Look!" exclaimed the doctor's son as they came to a small opening in the woods. "Deer, or I'll eat my cap!"

He pointed to some bushes and tender saplings growing near. The bushes had been nibbled, and so had the bark on the saplings, showing that some animal had been there.

"I believe you are right, and if so we may get a shot," answered Giant.

"Yes, a shot---but not until after we have used our cameras,"

answered the doctor's son. "Don't forget the first object of this outing---to get some good pictures."

"Right you are, Shep; I forgot. But we must shoot the deer---after we have our photos."

"Better sight the game first," came from Snap.

With the thoughts of bringing down one or more deer filling their minds, the boy hunters did not care so much about making a camp for the night. If necessary, they knew they could erect their tent anywhere, and take it down again in the morning. Even the prospect of rain did not daunt them.

"Let us hurry," said Shep. "If we reach the deer we want to do it while it is light enough to take some pictures."

With their cameras and guns ready for use, they went on, Tommy cautioning the dog to be silent. Wags seemed to understand and even acted as if he might lead them to the game. But he was not trained, so they took no chances on this.

Deep in a hollow they came upon the unmistakable hoofmarks of three deer. They followed these through the woods and to a small clearing.

At a clump of bushes the doctor's son called a halt.

"I think they may be near," he whispered. "If so, we want to go slow or they'll get away from us."

"Perhaps you'd better go ahead and take a look," said Snap, sure that that was what his chum desired.

The loads were slipped to the ground, and they went on, Shep well in advance. Suddenly the doctor's son put up one hand. It was a signal that the game was in sight. Snap whispered to Tommy to stop and hold the collie.

"There they are, by yonder rocks," said the doctor's son, pointing with his finger. "We can all get good pictures, I think. Let us spread out a little."

They did as he advised. The three deer were close together, grazing.

The boys came up almost breathlessly, and each snapped his camera for two films or plates. At the first clicking one of the deer, evidently the leader, raised his head. Scenting the air, he made a beautiful sight. For just an instant he stood still, then gave a snort and started to run.

"Shoot 'em!" cried Shep, and swinging his camera out of the way he caught up his firearm. But Snap was ahead of him, and bang! went his piece. Bang! bang! bang! went the others in rapid succession.

Then Wags began to bark furiously, and Tommy let him go. After the game he leaped at his topmost speed.

The first volley from the shotguns laid one of the deer low, while a second was slightly wounded, and began to limp away. The other deer kept on running and soon disappeared into the dense forest.

"Come on---let us get that wounded deer!" cried Whopper.

"There goes Wags after him!" shouted Tommy.

"That dog will get killed if he doesn't look out," answered Snap, who knew only too well how a cornered deer can fight. But Wags was too wise to get within reach of the deer's hoofs and head. He raced around and around the game, simply worrying it.

Coming closer, the boy hunters watched their chances and Snap took another shot, followed by Giant. These were fatal, and limping a few feet farther, the deer staggered and fell, and soon breathed its last.

"Call off the dog," ordered the doctor's son. But this was unnecessary, for after a single sniff Wags retired and did not attempt to molest the game.

"Talk about luck!" cried Whopper, swinging his cap in the air. "I call this prime! Two deer, first crack out of the box!"

"Yes; and see the fine pictures we got," added Snap. "That is, I trust they are all right," he added hastily.

"Did you change your films and plates?" asked the doctor's son.

All had, and they guarded jealously those containing the precious exposures.