Part 12 (1/2)

Spurred on by the thought, the boy hastened his steps, and increased his vigilant scrutiny of the bush for the first signs of game But luck did not come his way for some time, and his anxiety not to be beaten in the contest led his feet farther than the half-hour's limit merited

It was not until he had tramped a mile or more that Bob realised how quickly the ti to have to return eun crack twice again At the same time, if there were no creatures to be shot, he could not be reproached for his lack of success

With a rueful grih of a to retrace his steps, when suddenly the bush rustled at his side, and a brown body leapt into the air as if it had been shot froht, and quick as a flash of light the butt of his gun darted to his shoulder and the woods resounded with the explosion of a cartridge

It was a quick aiood, for the anis told the young hunter that the quarry was yet active

”This is worth waiting for,” said Bob to himself, as he rushed forward in pursuit ”A dozen of Alf's prairie chicken will not be equal to an antelope--if I get him!”

There was much in that little ”if,” for evidently the deer was far fro disabled, since it had so rapidlydaunted, Bob hurried on, replacing the used cartridge as he ran, and easily following the tracks that the animal had made in its dash for liberty

Bob's pulses were thrilling with excitement, but his nerves were the real hunter's nerves that can be steady even when exciteun firmly, and with eyes scaled to see each treed purpose of one who meant to capture

Time and distance were unheeded now All the boy's senses were converged towards one ai he was oblivious to all other distractions Suddenly he stopped in the very ed into a statue ofat the edge of what seerass The ani the air with head raised, to discover if it were still pursued

It orth gun-shot

Cautiously Bob raised his weapon without evenfroliame It would be useless for him to approach closer, for the least disturbance of the bush would be discovered, and a few leaps would carry the deer across that stretch of green turf, and thence--probably beyond all chance of recovery

Bob took a careful sight this ti upwards into the air, gave two ht in the centre of the paddock

Bob gave a cry of exultation and ran forwards towards his bag So excited was he now that he did not notice how the turf shi+vered under his feet when first he stepped upon the edge of the clearing He had no thoughts for aught else but the triu But suddenly, when he ithin a few yards of the deer, he felt one foot sink beneath hiht, but placed his other foot a little beyond, where the turf seemed firmer But the next step sunk deeper than the first, and at each effort to release the one the other sunk farther

Then a cold sweat broke out all over the lad's body He realised the plight that he was in, for the green sas no reat --a lake of liquid mud such as has been known to sa trace of the hapless victiry throat

Bob stood still in horror at his terrible discovery

He looked round hiht aid hi was at hand but the grass that a , but which now seely and treacherous Even the slain deer was already beginning to yield to the suction from beneath

If ever Bob was near to utter despair, it was at that moment He was over the ankles in , while the sli hiht that he ht be safer if he lay upon his face, but he quickly banished that suggestion when he saw that the prostrate position of the deer did not impede its certain destruction He scarce dared to breathe, since every

Down, down he sank The hs

It seemed to be only a edy would end

Yet he tried to be brave He tried to brace hih it is hardly to be wondered at that he felt hope quickly leaving hireen death-trap

Then, just as suddenly as if a voice had spoken to hirass at his feet, there flashed into his ood old Scot had spoken by the caht--