ward Jerry, and given him a shot. Instead, he
turned to the left, and bore rapidly down on Brick, who was hardly
prepared for the move.

"He's gaining on me," Hamp cried. "Help! help!"

The lad's situation was truly critical. Jerry was some yards away.
Moreover, there was something wrong with the hammer of his gun. But
Brick made himself ready in time. He slipped a few feet to one side, and
lifted his rifle. A brief hesitation, then the trigger fell.

Bang! The shrill report echoed across the lake and through the forest.
The buck staggered. His forelegs gave way. With a gasping moan he
toppled over, and his life-blood stained the ice.

No words can tell the delight of the young hunters. They cheered until
they were fairly hoarse. Hamp drew his knife, and sprang astride of the
feebly-struggling animal. By a single pass he slit its throat.

Jerry slapped Brick on the back.

"That was a grand shot," he exclaimed. "I couldn't have done it better
myself. It was Hamp's only chance. The hammer of my rifle was clogged
with snow."

Brick was almost speechless. He looked at the buck, and then at his
companions.

"Did--did I really kill him?" he gasped. "Is he dead?"

"Dead as a door nail," assured Hamp. "See, the ball went in between the
foreshoulders. It must have pierced the heart. You've shot the first
deer, Brick, and it's something to be proud of."

"I know it is," admitted Brick. "I wish Tom Fordham was here now. He
said I'd forget how to shoot when I saw a deer."

"You didn't, though," said Hamp. "You saved my life."

"And mine," added Jerry. "It was a plucky thing to rush in between me
and the buck."

"It wasn't much," Brick modestly protested. "You would have done the
same for me."

The boys continued the animated discussion, quite heedless of time. The
dead wolf was examined with wonder, and they removed the scalp, in order
to claim the State bounty. With some difficulty they dragged the buck
partly onto one of the hand sleds.

"I want the antlers," said Brick. "I wouldn't go back to New York
without them."

"We'll see to that," replied Jerry. "Now, then, if you fellows are
ready."

A moment later the march toward the headland was recommenced. The
heavily-laden sleds grated over the ice and snow.

Some small animal followed the boys for quite a distance, keeping well
out of sight behind the timber. It had a shrill, rasping voice that was
very aggravating. Jerry declared it to be a lynx or wolveri