Then he heard the patter, patter of little hoofs coming down the stream.

Nearer and nearer they came.

Sometimes they were almost inaudible and again he heard them clearly and distinctly.

Then there came a splashing and the faint hollow sound caused by hard hoofs striking the stones in shallow water.

Finally the sounds ceased.
Cautiously peering from behind the tree Isaac saw a doe standing on the bank fifty yards down the brook.