Guns and Snowshoes; Or, the Winter Outing of the Young Hunters Part 13

"A wild turkey, and a big one, too."

Snap was willing that Whopper should have a try at the turkey, since he seemed so disappointed at losing track of the big game, and so pa.s.sed over his shotgun. The wild turkey was roosting near the top of a silver maple tree. Taking careful aim, Whopper blazed away.

To the astonishment of all, the wild turkey gave a flutter, sank back on the tree limb and then became quiet.

"What in the world does that mean?" gasped Whopper, hardly believing that he saw aright.

"Maybe you didn't hit him," suggested Giant.

"Didn't hit him--at such a short distance?" said Whopper, in disgust.

"Of course I hit him."

"Then why didn't he tumble down or fly away?" came from Shep.

"He'd fly quick enough--if he could," said Snap. "There is something wrong with him. Maybe he is caught fast in the crotch of the limb."

Guns in hand the four boy hunters ran forward until they stood directly under the silver maple. Here they could see the head and the tail of the wild turkey, but that was all. The game did not offer to move, even when Whopper set up a shout.

"He's dead and caught fast, I am sure of it," said Whopper. "If it were otherwise he would surely flutter down or fly away."

"You'll have to do some climbing to get your game," said the doctor's son.

"Well, I can do that, too--if you'll give me a boost," answered Whopper, pa.s.sing over the shotgun and laying aside his rifle.

The others a.s.sisted him to reach the lower limbs of the silver maple, and up he went from one branch to another until he stood directly beneath the wild turkey. He put forth his hand with caution.

"Be careful," cried Shep. "If the turkey is still alive he may show fight and try to peck out your eyes."

s.h.i.+elding himself as best he could, Whopper presently caught the turkey by one foot. He pulled gently at first and then gave a strong yank. Down came the game from the crotch of the tree, and Whopper almost lost his balance. To save himself he let the game drop to the ground and clutched at the tree branches nearest to him.

"Dead as a door nail!" he announced, as soon as he felt safe. "And I knew it from the start. He didn't fall because he got caught, that's all."

"Now you are up in the tree you had better take a look around and see if any more game is it sight," called up Snap.

"I will."

While the others stamped around to keep warm, Whopper mounted to the topmost branches of the silver maple. From this position he could overlook a wide expanse of country. He gazed first to, the northward and then over to the west.

"Hullo!" he yelled suddenly. "I see something worth going after."

"What?" questioned the others in concert.

"Two deer."

CHAPTER X

OUT AFTER DEER

"You see two deer?" queried Snap.

"Yes."

"How far from here?" questioned the doctor's son.

"A good quarter of a mile."

"Oh, that's not so far!" exclaimed Giant. "Come on after them, fellows."

"Wait till I get down," said Whopper, coming as quickly as he could.

"Don't go ahead yet."

"How are we going ahead, since you are the only one that knows where the game is?" answered the doctor's son.

As soon as Whopper was on the ground, they set off, taking the wild turkey with them. The shot had entered the heart of the turkey, killing it instantly, and its single flutter had only served to wedge it fast in the tree crotch.

"Boys, it is growing colder," announced Snap, as they proceeded.

"As if we didn't know it," answered Giant, slapping his hands together.

"And I think it is going to snow some more," went on Snap.

"Pooh! who cares!" cried Whopper. "I am going to get one of those deer if I die for it."

"So say I!" put in Shep. "Remember, we ought to get quite some game on hand, in case we get snowed in at the camp."

The sky had become overcast, and this was what made it seem colder.

The wind, too, was springing up, and they were glad to keep to the sheltered portions of the ground so far as the journey after the deer permitted.

Inside of fifteen minutes they covered more than a quarter of a mile.

Yet no deer were to be seen.

"Whopper, didn't you make some mistake?" asked Snap, coming to a halt.

"I am sure I saw the deer."

"Whopper must have been deceived in the distance," said Giant. "Things look closer on the water, or when the ground is covered with snow."

"Perhaps that's it," answered Whopper. "Anyway, the deer were somewhere out here, I'm sure."

Again they went on, but soon came to a series of rocks, where walking was difficult. Giant slipped on one of the rocks and barked his left s.h.i.+n.

"Oh dear!" he cried, in pain. "I don't like this much. It is a regular Rocky Road to Dublin!"

"I don't feel like going much further," said Snap. "I think we ought to go, back. See, it is starting in to snow," he added, as the flakes began to fall.