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Lightfoot the Deer by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess
page 24 of 77 (31%)

Lightfoot had about decided that the hunter had given up hunting
for that day, but he didn't let this keep him from being any the
less watchful. It was better to be overwatchful than the least
bit careless. By and by, Lightfoot's keen ears caught the sound
of the snapping of a little stick in the distance. It was so
faint a sound that you or I would have missed it altogether.
But Lightfoot heard it and instantly he was doubly alert,
watching in the direction from which that faint sound had come.
After what seemed a long, long time he saw something moving, and
a moment later a man came into view. It was the hunter and across
one arm he carried the terrible gun.

Lightfoot knew now that this hunter had patience and perseverance
and had not yet given up hope of getting near enough to shoot
Lightfoot. He moved forward slowly, setting each foot down with
the greatest care, so as not to snap a stick or rustle the
leaves. He was watching sharply ahead, ready to shoot should he
catch a glimpse of Lightfoot within range.

Right along through the hollow at the foot of the little hill
below Lightfoot the hunter passed. He was no longer studying the
ground for Lightfoot's tracks, because the ground was so hard and
dry down there that Lightfoot had left no tracks. He was simply
hunting in the direction from which the Merry Little Breezes were
blowing because he knew that Lightfoot had gone in that direction,
and he also knew that if Lightfoot were still ahead of him,
his scent could not be carried to Lightfoot. He was doing
what is called "hunting up-wind."

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