The Wild Turkey 291 



gobbler. A claim would have been useless, 

 for I had heard no shot and the prize gave no 

 sign of having been wounded. The larger of the 

 two strangers said he had often heard of me, and 

 would like to join me for the remainder of the 

 day. What to do with the gobbler was the prob- 

 lem. Finally, the younger brother offered to carry 

 in the turkey and have it ready at the depot 

 when I got back. This was an easy solution of 

 the trouble, so I promptly agreed, adding that it 

 was a pity to spoil his day. 



"Oh! that don't matter. I'm satisfied," he 

 replied. 



He was too! I hunted with the brother all 

 the rest of the day, and late in the afternoon we 

 got a chance and dropped a couple of small young 

 hens. We might have got more, but I had a most 

 important engagement for the following morning, 

 and there was only one train to my destination. 



" I won't disturb 'em for two days, if you'll come 

 back ; I like to hunt with you," said my bucolic 

 friend. There and then I promised to return, 

 and we set out best foot foremost for the depot. 

 We made it by a narrow margin, and lo ! there 

 was neither boy nor gobbler. 



" I'll go get it and be back in time ; he's taken 

 it to the house," said my new friend, as he darted 

 away. 



" This is a rum go ! " I viciously exclaimed as 



