“Dis am sumfing to be proud ob, an’ no mistake,” observed Pickles. “My dad won’t most beliebe me when I dun tell him ob it.” “We’ll take along the horns and skins, and that will certify to our story,” said Jack. “The question is, what’s to be done with all of this meat?” “It’s a pity, but most of it will have to be left behind, I suppose,” returned Harry. “Let us carry as much of the choice pieces as we can.” They set to work with a will to skin the deer, saving the heads just as they were. They were hard at work when a loud, drawling voice disturbed them. “Wall, neow, jess tew look at thet!” exclaimed the voice. “Dew yeou boys mean tew say thet yeou killed the three of ’em?” They looked around, and standing on the rocks beheld a tall, slim-built farmer, evidently of Yankee extraction, surveying the scene in wonder and admiration. “Yes, we killed them,” replied Harry. “Pretty good for one morning’s hunt, eh?” “Most etarnally good, young man--in fact, the best Josh Higginson hez seed in many a year. It does yeou proud, boys, take my word on it!” “We are proud,” returned Andy, honestly. “I came deown here tew see if I could git a shot myself, but I guess it’s tew late neow. Too bad, tew, for the old woman wuz calkerlatin’ on a bit o’ vension fer tew-morrow’s dinner.” “You can have some and welcome,” returned Jack, quickly. “We do not wish it all, and cannot carry it to our camp on Rock Island Lake.” “Yes, he might as well take all that is left,” added Harry. “It will only spoil here.” “That’s so,” put in Andy and Boxy. Josh Higginson was greatly pleased. In truth, he was not much of a hunter, and it is doubtful if he could have brought down a deer even if given the chance. He thanked them over and over again, and said he would go home and bring a sled and horse down to carry away the meat. He asked the boys about themselves, and said he hoped that they would have the best possible time during the balance of their outing in the woods. “I have a tidy little place up tew the end o’ the valley,” he said; “an’ if yeou come up thet way drap in, an’ I’ll treat yeou the best I know heow.” Not to get back to camp too late, they rushed matters, and half an hour later were on their way. Each was loaded heavily, but no one grumbled, for was it not the prize of the day they were carrying? “Won’t folks in Rudskill be astonished when they learn of all we shot!” exclaimed Boxy. “I guess they’ll think we are regular hunters, true enough!” “This meat will last us the balance of the outing,” said Harry. “So we won’t have to worry about food any more.” On and on they went, over the hills, until, when it was growing quite dark, they came in sight of the camp. “Home again!” sang out Andy, “and I am not sorry. Another mile would have done me----” “Somebody has been here!” interrupted Harry, quickly. “See, the fire has been scattered right and left, and the oven torn to pieces!” “Who could have been mean enough to do this?” put in Jack, angrily.