the spot where the game had been seen and then hunted for the
trail.

"Here it is!" cried Shep, presently. "And it looks to be fresh."

"You are right," answered Snap. "And that proves that the deer
have been here since that heavy rain. Now, boys, if we follow
this trail with care we may be able to bring down something worth
while."

And then they set off to follow the trail, little dreaming of the
strange adventure in store for them.

CHAPTER XV

THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN

The opposite shore of the lake was rocky and full of brushwood, and
it was rather difficult to follow the deer tracks, which occasionally
led directly across the rocks. Once in a while they would miss the
trail and then a grand hunt for prints would be instituted, until the
trail was recovered. They passed over one small hill and then came to
a broad hollow, fronting something of a mountain.

"I see some deer!" cried Whopper, pointing with his hand. "Five
or six of 'em."

The young hunter was right, and all gazed at the game with longing
eyes. The deer were more than a third of a mile away, on the
mountainside.

"Let me see," said Snap, "the wind is blowing from the west. So we
had better make a semicircle and come up on the other side of the
game. If we don't, the wind will carry our scent to them and
they'll be off like a shot."

Silently the others followed the directions of their leader, and
once again they plunged into the brushwood. The way was harder
than before and more than once they had to halt, not knowing exactly
how to proceed.

"This is dead loads of fun," grunted Whopper. "Never had such
fun since I was born. It's almost as good as chopping wood when
the other fellows are playing ball!"

"Do you want to go back?" questioned Snap, quickly. "For you can
if you wish, you know."

"Humph! not much. I'm going to see the end of it."

"Then, don't grumble," put in Giant. "It's harder work for me to
climb the rocks than you."

On they went until they came to another opening. They gazed forward
eagerly, but to their chagrin the deer had disappeared.

"Now what do you make of that?" came quickly from Shep.

"They can't be far off," said Snap, cheerfully. "Perhaps they are
just beyond the bushes yonder."

Up the mountainside they went, sometimes abreast and then in Indian
file. Soon they came to a mass of heavy undergrowth.

"Gracious, what a tangle this is!" cried Giant. "I don't seem to be
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