12 
WILD AMERICANS 
he should catch their scent. That was why Uncle Ely 
had stationed them where the wind would not take 
the man-odor toward the water hole. 
However, the buck waited cautiously before drink¬ 
ing. He lifted his head to scent the air delicately, thus 
making sure that no enemy was near enough to spring 
on him without warning. 
Next he made a motion with his short bushy tail, 
shook his head and moved toward the water. Then 
came another surprise to the children. 
Behind him in the brush appeared three beautiful 
does—female deer. They had remained out of sight 
until the male made sure that no enemy was near the 
water. When he signaled them with a snort and a 
wave of his tail, they came out of hiding. 
The big fellow took a quick drink, then jumped 
nimbly onto the stream bank and looked all around. 
While each doe drank her fill, he stood guard, look¬ 
ing, sniffing. His great antlers were beautiful indeed. 
'Took, there are six points on each side of his 
homsf 1 whispered Uncle Ely. "That makes twelve 
in all. A twelve-point buck! That’s a mighty fine 
animal.” 
Couldn t we shoot him, if we had brought that 
big rifle of Dad s?” the boy whispered. 
