FOLLOWING 
THE DEER^ 
of disputing: footprints for any novice 
that might follow hini. 
So the interesting chase went on all 
day, skill against cunning, knowledge 
against finer instinct, through the 
white wonder of the winter woods, 
till, late in the afternoon, it swung 
back towards the starting point. The 
deer had undoubtedly intended to be- 
gin their yard that day on the ridge I 
had selected ; for at noon I crossed the 
trail of the two from the haystack, 
heading as if by mutual understanding 
in that direction. But the big buck, 
feeling that he was followed, cun- 
ningly led his charge away from the 
spot so as to give no hint of the pro- 
posed winter quarters to the enemy 
135 
WINTER TRAILS 
