“Unless we see something, we can stop and have dinner there,” answered his brother. “Quiet now, for the top is not far off, and the wind will carry our voices down into the valley as soon as we reach the ridge.” They went on after this in silence, all following Harry and Jack in Indian file. Five minutes later the crest of the long hill was before them. With the greatest possible caution they crept forward and peered over into the valley on the other side. At first they saw nothing. Then Harry motioned them to silence, and pointed to a little opening among the bushes far away to the south. Four animals were bunched together there, and a second look convinced all of the boys that they were deer. CHAPTER XXI. DEER HUNTING. Every one of the boys took a good look, to make sure that he was not mistaken, and then they drew back several yards from the crest of the hill. “Deer, and four of them!” whispered Andy, excitedly. “We can’t shoot them so far off,” added Boxy. “No, we have to get closer and on the other side of them,” replied Harry. “Why on the other side?” questioned Andy, impatiently. “Deer always scent a person if he is to the windward.” “Oh, I see. Well, shall we cross the valley here?” “No, we will have to go up to the north and make a wide detour behind that bit of woods,” said Jack. “Come on, there is no time to lose. The deer may shift their position at any moment.” In the excitement of the moment all thoughts of the midday meal were forgotten. And they likewise forgot that they were tired. With such game in view they would have tramped five miles without a murmur. Harry led the way along the ridge, taking care that they should not expose themselves to the view of the deer below. It was a tedious walk, especially to Andy, who wanted half-a-dozen times to try a shot at long range. At last they reached the crest of the hill, and began to climb down the other side. This was hard work, for fear of striking an icy surface and going down--no one could tell where. It was half an hour before they stood in the valley. Here it was warmer, on account of the shelter from the wind. “Now come on and we’ll get to some spot directly behind the deer,” said Harry. “Then we will spread out in a semi-circle and do our best to bag the lot.” Without another word, and scarcely daring to breathe, they moved along in the snow, their guns, and the rifle carried by Jack, ready for immediate use. Luckily, there was a small rise of rocks between the game and the boys, and using this as a shelter, they approached closer and closer to the deer. “Now all fire when I give the signal, a sharp whistle,” said Jack. “Don’t fire before, and don’t forget to have a second charge ready for your guns.” With these instructions, he stationed Andy and Boxy in one spot, Pickles in another, and then went on with Harry. Fifty feet farther Jack and Harry came to a halt, and selected places not over two yards apart.