When the hunter found the hiding-place Lightfoot had left at the warning of Sammy Jay he followed Lightfoot 's tracks for a short distance . It was slow work , and only one whose eyes had been trained to notice little things could have done it . You see , there was no snow , and only now and then , when he had stepped on a bit of soft ground , had Lightfoot left a footprint . But there were other signs which the hunter knew how to read , -- a freshly upturned leaf here , and here , a bit of moss lightly crushed . These things told the hunter which way Lightfoot had gone . Slowly , patiently , watchfully , the hunter followed . After a while he stopped with a satisfied grin . `` I thought as much , '' he muttered . `` He heard that pesky Jay and circled around so as to get my scent . I 'll just cut across to my old trail and unless I am greatly mistaken , I 'll find his tracks there . '' So , swiftly but silently , the hunter cut across to his old trail , and in a few moments he found just what he expected , -- one of Lightfoot 's footprints . Once more he grinned . `` Well , old fellow , I 've outguessed you this time , '' said he to himself . `` I am behind you and the wind is from you to me , so that you can not get my scent . I would n't be a bit surprised if you 're back right where you started from , behind that old windfall . '' He at once began to move forward silently and cautiously , with eyes and ears alert and his terrible gun ready for instant use . Now when Lightfoot , following behind the hunter , had lost the scent of the latter , he guessed right away that the latter had found his tracks and had started to follow them . Lightfoot stood still and listened with all his might for some little sound to tell him where the hunter was . But there was no sound and after a little Lightfoot began to move on . He did n't dare remain still , lest the hunter should creep up within shooting distance .
There was only one direction in which it was safe for XXXXX to move , and that was the direction from which the Merry Little Breezes were blowing .
Jay Lightfoot fellow footprint footprints leaf left right scent snow