st that stretched far away to Canada.

"Got the time, Brick?" asked Jerry.

"Yes; it's just half-past three."

"Well, suppose we push up the lake for another hour. By that time we'll
likely strike the sort of a camping-place we want."

The others agreed, and Jerry led them to within twenty yards of the
shore. Then they turned northward, and went on at a rapid trot.

About half a mile ahead a spit of rocky and timbered land jutted out
from the shore.

"We ought to find a good place behind that," said Hamp.

"No doubt we shall," Jerry added.

"I hope so," declared Brick. "I'm as hungry as a bear. I haven't had
such an appetite since the day----"

Brick never finished. He was interrupted by a crashing noise a short
distance back in the forest. The sound came rapidly nearer and louder.
The boys stopped, and looked at one another in alarm.

"It must be a deer," exclaimed Jerry, "and some animal is chasing it.
The wind is blowing this way. We may get a shot."

Crash! out from the forest burst a magnificent buck, with
widely-branching antlers. He bounded down the sloping bank, and over the
ice. He was panting and exhausted.

Close behind leaped a gaunt, ravenous wolf, flecked with foam and
perspiration. Both animals swept out on the lake, making straight at the
frightened and amazed boys.

Brick had a sudden attack of buckfever. He stood stupidly still. The
others hurriedly grabbed their rifles from the sled. Jerry ran a few
steps in front of his companions.

Then, for the first time, the buck saw the lads. He snorted with terror,
and tried vainly to check himself on the slippery ice.

Jerry knelt and took aim. He was too excited to be cautious. He pulled
trigger at a range of fifteen feet.

The ball failed to reach a mortal part. It hit the buck in the left
flank, inflicting a painful wound. The huge animal's terror instantly
changed to wrath. With lowered antlers, he dashed full tilt at Jerry.

The lad started to run, but his rifle caught between his legs. He
sprawled headlong on the ice. He was right in front of the enraged
buck. In a few seconds the cruel hoofs and sharp horns would mangle his
body.

At the same instant the wolf, maddened by hunger and passion, veered
with a shrill yelp. He leaped savagely upon Hamp's breast, and bore him
to the ice.

CHAPTER IV.

THE FIRST DEER.

Hamp escaped death by a display of nerve and cool