"Tom and I will do the paddling." Paul was more than content to obey, and he remained very still while the other two, with long, sweeping strokes, sent the canoe toward a point where the enclosing bank was lowest.
"Don't you think we'd better stay in the boat, Henry ?" said Ross.
"Yes; game must be thick hereabouts, and if we wait long enough we're sure to find a deer coming down to drink." They cruised for a while along the shore, keeping well in the darkest shadow until they reached a point where the keen eyes of Henry Ware saw, despite the darkness, that many hoofs had trampled.
"This is a favorite drinking place," he said.

"Back us into those bushes, Tom, and we'll wait." Ross pushed the canoe into some bushes until it was hidden, though the occupants could see through the leaves whatever might come to the water to drink, and they took up their rifles.

They lay a little to the north of the drinking place, and the wind blew from the south.
"I don't think we'll have to wait long," said Henry.
Then they remained absolutely silent, but within fifteen minutes they heard a heavy trampling in the woods.

It steadily grew louder, and was mingled with snortings and puffings.

Whatever animal made it--and it was undoubtedly a big one--was coming toward them.