THE HUNTED WATCHES THE HUNTER
It was so quiet and peaceful and altogether lovely there in the Green
Forest, where Lightfoot the Deer lay resting behind a pile of brush near
the top of a little hill, that it didn't seem possible such a thing as
sudden death could be anywhere near. It didn't seem possible that there
could be any need for watchfulness. But Lightfoot long ago had learned
that often danger is nearest when it seems least to be expected. So,
though he would have liked very much to have taken a nap, Lightfoot was
too wise to do anything so foolish. He kept his beautiful, great, soft
eyes fixed in the direction from which the hunter with the terrible gun
would come if he were still following that trail. He kept his great ears
gently moving to catch every little sound.
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."
Lightfoot kept perfectly still and watched the hunter disappear among
the trees. Then he silently got to his feet, shook himself lightly, and
noiselessly stole away over the hilltop towards another part of the
Green Forest. He felt sure that that hunter would not find him again
that day.