Soon they were within two hundred feet of the clump of trees, which, they now saw, were backed up by a series of rocks. The deer was out of sight. "We've lost the deer!" murmured Bob. "But I shan't care if only we find water over there." "I think we shall," said Maybe Dixon. "But how much remains to be seen." All broke into a run and soon gained the first of the trees. No water was there and they turned towards the rocks. Then Mark caught sight of a thin stream of water gushing out from between two big stones and set up a shout: "Water! water!" "Hurrah!" cried Bob. "Now we can get our fill and carry the news back to camp." "Hope there is enough to go around," came from Maybe Dixon. They rushed to where the water was flowing and found a pool under the stones three feet in diameter and a foot deep. The water was clear but tasted a little of minerals. Yet to the thirsty ones it was the best drink they had ever had. "Beats all how good water can taste!" said Bob, after getting down and drinking his fill. "It's the very best ever!" cried Mark, enthusiastically. All his former depression of spirits had left him. When Maybe Dixon arose he wiped his mouth slowly with the back of his hand. "It's fit to thank God fer!" he said, and both boys said amen. The water was so good Mark had to have another drink. In the meantime Maybe Dixon looked again for the deer, but it was out of sight. "Poor thing!" murmured Bob. "It needed a drink but it wouldn't stop with us around." "And now it may die of thirst," added Mark. "I wish we had a pail along. We might take some water back to camp." "A pailful wouldn't be enough. Come on--we must get the news to the others as soon as we can. They will be worrying every minute while we are gone." They started to leave the vicinity of the spring when they heard a clatter on the rocks. "That deer must be coming!" whispered Bob. "If so, maybe I'll get a shot," said Maybe Dixon. He raised his hand for silence, and all became quiet. The clatter of hoofs continued, and then came a snort of commingled disappointment and anger. Looking up, they saw a big elk standing and gazing at them. Then another elk appeared and soon a third and a fourth. "Hullo, what does this mean?" whispered Bob. "It must be their drinking place," said Mark. "And they don't like it that we are here." "Look out! They mean fight!" exclaimed Maybe Dixon, and raising his rifle he fired at the elk nearest to him. The animal staggered and fell over the pool. Then it arose, gave a snort, and plunged with lowered antlers directly for Mark. CHAPTER XIII A FIGHT WITH AN ELK "Look out, Mark, he is coming for you!" "Jump out of the way, or he'll horn you sure!" Such were the cries uttered by Bob and Maybe Dixon, as the big elk charged upon Mark.