244 THE WILD TURKEY AND ITS HUNTING 



charred log behind which we were hid, and "Put" 

 "put;" all were gone, helter-skelter. 



Renaud 's heart was broken — mine wrecked. 



"Why in the d-dickens didn't you shoot?" I 

 asked, mad as a hornet. 



"I wanted to get them in position to get the 

 two largest ones." 



"Gee! you ought to have made sure of that 

 fellow with the immense beard, and chance 

 another on the rise or run;" but just as we were 

 waxing into a fine quarrel, R. remarked in a 

 whisper, "They are coming back." 



"Yes," I replied, "and several others with 

 them — some old ones and some yearlings; so 

 make no mistake this time, and be sure of one of 

 the old ones." 



They were very near now, and as I made a low 

 call all stopped and some gobbled; then on they 

 came in a careless manner, neither strutting nor 

 exhibiting any special passion. 



I quickly got in my camera work, and ducked 

 my head in time to see the beautiful things walk- 

 ing away from the gun; then two well-measured 

 reports — and the smoke clearing away showed 



