CHAPTER XXII 

THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK 

"Look out!" 

These were the only words Henry had time to utter and as they left his lips he leaped to one side as swiftly as possible. 

Hardly knowing what Henry meant, Dave and Barringford stood their ground, looking first one way and then another. 

On the instant the big buck came forward. His rush was aimed at Henry, but missing that youth, he went onward with a wild plunge, directly between Dave and Barringford. 

"A buck!" yelled the frontiersman. "Back out, Dave, an' be quick about it!" 

He himself started on a run, reloading his rifle as he went. Dave wanted to do as bidden, but he had been so surprised that before he could turn his heel caught on a rock and down he went flat on his back. His gun struck on the trigger and went off, the charge tearing over the top of the cave into the tree branches beyond. 

Dave was now helpless and if the truth must be told the fall had more than half dazed him, for his head came down on a spot that was far from soft and comfortable. More than this, with an empty gun he could do but little to defend himself. 

The big buck had now come to a halt and turned around. He stood as if uncertain whether to renew the attack or take to his heels. Then he gazed at his mate and a strange red light shone in his angry eyes. He was "blood struck," as old hunters call it, and drawing in a sharp, hissing breath, he leaped forward once again, straight for Dave, who was now trying to rise. 
Did they look around?
Dave and Barringford stood their ground, looking first one way and then another