better stick to the forest. Of course they can follow the trail of the drag easily enough, but I hate to think of giving up so much meat,—after we had such a journey to bring it down."
"Don't let's give it up yet," pleaded Dave. The deer was the largest he had yet laid low, and he was correspondingly proud of the showing. "Perhaps they aren't after us at all."
On they went, traveling as fast as their somewhat tired limbs permitted. There was another rise to cross, beyond which was a watercourse leading down to the rear of their homestead.
"I think I know where there is a rough raft to be found," said Henry. "And if I can find it, we can place the deer on that and tow them 'home. We may get wet, but it will be easy work and we can make quicker time than over the ground."
"Right you are, Henry, and remember, water leaves no trail," responded Dave.
They were soon at the side of the stream, which at this point was several feet deep and five to ten yards wide. The banks were thickly overhung with bushes, now, however, bare of leaves. At one spot was an inlet and here Henry pointed out the raft he had mentioned, a crude affair of four short logs lashed together with willow withes.
"We can pull that with ease," said Dave, as he
