He worked his way step by step; each time his foot was lifted he set it down again only after trying the footing.

At each step he paused to look and listen.

It was only one hundred yards to the interesting spot, but Rolf was fifteen minutes in covering the distance, and more than once, he got a great start as a chicadee flew out or a woodpecker tapped.

His heart beat louder and louder, so it seemed everything near must hear; but he kept on his careful stalk, and at last had reached the thicket that had given him such thrills and hopes.

Here he stood and watched for a full minute.