The bucks did not actually fight, for the
season was not yet on, but their horns were clean, their necks
were swelling, and they threatened each other as they trotted
after the leader. They made for the ford as for some familiar
path, and splashed through, almost without swimming. As they
landed, Rolf waited a clear view, then gave a short sharp "Hist!"
It was like a word of magic, for it turned the three moving deer
to three stony-still statues. Rolf's sights were turned on the
smaller buck, and when the great cloud following the bang had
deared away, the two were gone and the lesser buck was kicking on
the ground some fifty yards away.
"We have found the good hunting; the deer walk into camp," said
Quonab; and the product of the chase was quickly stored, the
first of the supplies to be hung in the new storehouse.
The entrails were piled up and covered with brush and stones.
"That will keep off ravens and jays; then in winter the foxes
will come and we can take their coats."
Now they must decide for the morning. Skookum was somewhat
better, but still very sick, and Rolf suggested: "Quonab, you
take the gun and axe and lay a new line.
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