had kindled, was what led him to stop and make the best investigation he
could.

There was little else he could appeal to, and he was in doubt as to
whether that had not been kindled by some other party; but fortunately,
while he was debating the matter, he caught the faint but distinct
signal of his friend, who was on the point of starting out to look for
him.

Nick replied, and in the course of half an hour had joined Sam and
Herbert by the fire.

They were relieved beyond expression to see the figure of the sturdy
little fellow, as he emerged from the gloom, and took his seat around
the camp fire.

They noticed that he limped, and knew something unusual must have taken
place to delay him. He had the most attentive of listeners when he
related his dangerous encounter with the buck, which came so nigh ending
his life.

But, happily, he had come out without any serious injury, and the lads
attacked their supper with the keenest of appetites.

"The reason the buck did not kill you," said Herbert, "was because he
was disabled by the wound I gave him."

"He was struck by one bullet only, and that one was mine," said Nick,
who saw no sense in deferring to the absurd claims of the youth.