when I will feel absolutely safe."

Paddy crept out on the bank and chewed a little twig of poplar
thoughtfully. Paddy says he can always think better if he is
chewing something. "That's bad news, Lightfoot. I'm sorry to hear
it. I certainly am sorry to hear it," said Paddy. "Why anybody
wants to hunt such a handsome fellow as you are, I cannot
understand. My, but that's a beautiful set of antlers you have!"

"They are the best I've ever had; but do you know, Paddy, I
suspect that they may be one of the reasons I am hunted so,"
replied Lightfoot a little sadly. "Good looks are not always to
be desired. Have you seen any hunters around here lately?"

Paddy shook his Lead. "Not a single hunter," he replied. "I tell
you what it is, Lightfoot, let's be partners for a while.
You stay right around my pond. If I see or hear or smell anything
suspicious, I'll warn you. You do the same for me. Two sets of
eyes, ears and noses are better than one. What do you say,
Lightfoot?"

"I'll do it," replied Lightfoot.

CHAPTER XIV: How Paddy Warned Lightfoot

It was a queer partnership, that partnership between Lightfoot
and Paddy, but it was a good partnership. They had been the best
of friends for a long time. Paddy had always been glad to have
Lightfoot visit his pond. To tell the truth, he was rather fond
of handsome Lightfoot. You know Paddy is himself not at all
handsome. On land he is a rather clumsy-looking fellow and
really homely. So he admired Lightfoot greatly. That is one
reason why he proposed that they be partners.

Lightfoot himself thought the idea a splendid one. He spent that
night browsing not far from Paddy's pond. With the coming of
daylight he lay down in a thicket of young hemlock-trees near the
upper end of the pond. It was a quiet, peaceful day. It was so
quiet and peaceful and beautiful it was hard to believe that
hunters with terrible guns were searching the Green Forest for
beautiful Lightfoot. But they were, and Lightfoot knew that
sooner or later one of them would be sure to visit Paddy's pond.
So, though he rested and took short naps all through that
beautiful day, he was anxious. He couldn't help but be.

The next morning found Lightfoot back in the same place. But this
morning he took no naps. He rested, but all the time he was
watchful and alert. A feeling of uneasiness possessed him.
He felt in his bones that danger in the shape of a hunter with a
terrib