Ned Wilding's Disappearance Part 3

"Leavin' your comfortable homes an' comin' out to a wilderness in winter. Land! I'd no more think of doin' it than I would of flyin'."

"Didn't you do such things when you were young?" asked Fenn.

"Never had no time," the expressman said. "When I got a few days off I had t' go t' th' woods an' chop cord-wood or tap trees for maple syrup."

They jogged along for another mile or so, the road getting more and more rough as they progressed.

"Don't believe I can take you any farther," said Jim, as he brought his wagon to a stop before a big bog-hole. For the last mile the road was "corduroy," that is, made by laying small logs across it, close together, like the ribs in corduroy cloth; whence its name.

The boys helped the expressman to unload, and, with his aid they soon had cleared a place among the trees for the tent. It was put up, and then the camp stuff and provisions were taken inside.

Stumpy quickly had ready a meal, which, if it was not elaborate, was appetizing, and Jim who was invited to it had to acknowledge that the coffee was good enough for anyone.

"Now for a turkey hunt!" exclaimed Ned, when Jim had left and his wagon was out of sight on the wood road. "We've got all the afternoon. Let's get the guns and start out."

The snow was coming down faster now, and the wind had increased. It was not very cold, however, and they were warmly dressed so they did not mind it. They had a compa.s.s with them, to avoid getting lost, and, confident they would return laden with turkeys or rabbits, they tramped on through the woods.

"Say, fellows! Here's something!" cried Frank suddenly, pointing to some tracks in the snow. His companions ran to where he stood.

"Turkey tracks!" called Bart. "They're leading off into the woods, too!

Come on! We'll get some birds now!"

The new-fallen snow deadened their footsteps or they would have frightened all the game within a mile, the way they rushed through the forest. They had never hunted wild turkeys, and did not know what shy birds they are.

So it was more by good luck than good management that they suddenly came upon a small flock, gathered about a big gobbler. The birds were in a little clearing, standing rather disconsolately about in the snow.

Bart, who was leading, came to an abrupt halt as he saw the flock through the bushes. He motioned for the others to remain quiet. Then he carefully brought his gun to bear on the big gobbler.

"Aren't you going to give us a shot?" asked Ned in a whisper. He and the others were standing behind Bart, and could not get a fair aim at the turkeys, as the trail was a narrow one and Bart occupied the most of it.

The whisper, as it was, gave the alarm to the easily frightened birds.

The gobbler raised its head and sounded one note of warning. But Bart shot at the instant. The flock scattered in all directions and the other boys fired wildly in the hope of getting a bird.

When the smoke had blown away the chums peered eagerly forward, expecting to see at least four turkeys lying on the snow-covered ground.

Bart ran up, hoping the big gobbler had fallen to him.

"Didn't we kill any?" asked Frank, as they saw nothing but turkey tracks.

"Looks as if we all missed," remarked Fenn.

"No, here's one, and it's a fine one too!" exclaimed Frank, as he ran to one side and picked up a plump hen from under a bush.

"Who aimed at that one?" asked Bart, much disappointed at missing his gobbler.

"Hard to say," said Ned. "I guess we can all claim a share in it. We each shot one-fourth of a turkey. Not so bad for a starter."

"I'm out of it," Bart rejoined. "I aimed straight at the gobbler, and he got away. It's a third of a bird apiece for you fellows."

"Anyhow it is the first turkey of the hunt," observed Ned.

"Yes, and my gun is christened," added Bart.

CHAPTER V

THE BLIZZARD

"Now for some more game!" cried Ned, as Frank tied the legs of the turkey and slung the bird across his back in true hunter fashion.

"Guess we'll have to tramp a long distance before we get any more,"

remarked Fenn. "All the turkeys for a mile around heard the guns and they'll keep to deep cover."

However the boys, ever hopeful, resumed their tramp. They found plenty of turkey tracks but no birds, and, after covering several miles, decided to make their way back to camp, as it was getting dark early on account of the storm.

They got the right direction, by means of the compa.s.s, and were within about a mile of where they had set up the tent when Bart, who was ahead, suddenly halted.

"What is it?" asked Fenn, as he saw his chum aiming his gun up through the low branches of a tree near which he had stopped.

For answer Bart fired. There was a flutter of big wings, a protesting gobble or two, and a big turkey c.o.c.k fell to the ground.

"There, I knew I'd get him!" Bart cried as he ran forward and secured his prize. "I saw him roosting up in the branches, and I fired before he could get away. I knew I'd get him!"

"You don't think this is the same one you fired at a while ago, do you?"

asked Ned.

"Well, it's one just as big and just as good," retorted Bart. "I'm satisfied if he is."

He slung the gobbler, which was a large fat one, over his shoulder and went on, much pleased with himself and his new gun.

"Guess we'll have roast turkey to-night all right," Frank remarked as they trudged along.

"I guess not, if I have to cook it!" exclaimed Fenn. "It's too late to dress any birds to-night. Canned stuff and coffee for yours."

"Well, to-morrow then," Frank insisted. "We've got to have a turkey dinner while we're in the woods."

It was almost dark when they reached camp. They lighted some lanterns, and built a big fire, while Fenn, who had been elected cook, got supper ready. The other boys cleared out the tent for sleeping purposes.

When the boys awoke in the morning it was to find the ground covered about a foot deep with snow. The flakes had ceased falling, but it was much colder, and there was a stiff wind. Gray clouds covered the sky, and altogether it was rather a cheerless prospect.

But the boys' spirits were proof against almost anything. With some hot coffee to warm them up, and some hot canned meat, which Fenn prepared, they were ready for another day of tramping through the woods after game.

"What do you say to moving camp?" suggested Bart. "I'm afraid we've scared from around here whatever there was in the way of turkeys and rabbits. We can put our stuff on the sled and pull it through the snow."

This was agreed to, and soon the runners were adjusted over the wheels, and the four boys were pulling the sleigh with the camp outfit.