ut it though," he added dryly.

From a distance the boys had seen more game and they began to circle
the pond. Then they heard a strange whirring in some bushes a distance
further on.

"Maybe we'll come across some wild turkeys or something like that,"
said Fred.

"I don't believe there are any wild turkeys around here," answered
Jack.

"Oh! wouldn't it be fine if we sighted a deer or a bear?" sighed Fred.

"You don't want much for your money, do you?" laughed his cousin. "I
rather think if a bear came after you you'd take to your heels."

"Maybe I would--if he was a big one."

On and on went the two boys, and presently were rewarded by the sight
of several small woodcock. Both fired almost at the same instant, and
two of the birds came fluttering down, to thrash around in the bushes
until put out of misery by the young hunters.

"Two of 'em! Think of that!" chuckled Fred. "Oh! this is simply
glorious!"

So far the two boys had not met any of the strange hunters, but now
they came across two men well loaded down with rabbits. They did not
know it, but one of the men was a farm hand employed by Elias Lacy.

"You'd better keep away from the Lacy place," said the man, with a
sarcastic look at the Rovers. He had been on hand when the lads had had
the chestnuts taken away by the old farmer, and had also heard about
the joke on Hallowe'en.

"Don't you worry. We've no use for Mr. Lacy," returned Fred, crossly.

"He's the meanest man we ever met," added Jack. At this the farm hand
only grinned, and then he and his companion disappeared once more into
the woods.

So far the day had been typical of the Autumn season, somewhat gray,
with only an occasional showing of the sun. Now, however, it became
rapidly darker, and presently a few flakes of snow sifted down through
the air.

"Hello! What do you know about this!" cried Jack, looking up. "I guess
we're going to have a snowstorm."

"Oh, I hope it doesn't snow very heavily--at least not until we get
back to school," returned Fred, quickly.

"A little snow won't hurt us, Fred."

"But if it got too thick, Jack, we might lose our way."

"I don't believe it will come down as heavily as all that--not at this
season of the year."

With the sky growing darker, and the flakes of snow coming down thicker
than ever, the two boys sought to retrace their steps in the direction
of the pond. But in their eagerness to sight something at which to
shoot, they had not note