CHAPTER XI : 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 did n't seem possible such a thing as sudden death could be anywhere near . It did n'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 did n'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 . ''
XXXXX kept perfectly still and watched the hunter disappear among the trees .
Deer Forest Hunter Lightfoot Right XI day left up-wind watchfulness