Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-05-31

MS 1TlenQ, AOlel MULLINS, edcH tak-
ing his gun with him.
Though they were both good shots
for boys, they had yet to learn the
ways of wild fowl. The result of
their hunt was that though they scar
ed up plenty Of wild turkeys, and
even several wild geese, they did not
secure single bird.
At noon, after long wearisome
tramp, they came out upon clear
ing several miles from the settlement.
Through this cleared area ran small
stream whose banks supported a
growth of willows and alders.
Hullo! where's that? cried Abiel,
suddenly, as sound of gobbling
arose in the bush.
Somewhere about here, verify. Per-
adventure we may yet have luck.
Step very softly.
And Peregrine moved around with
| the noiseless step of an Indian scout
on the trail.
Very soon long cry arose from
Abel: Here they are! The birds
are already Gagged for us, SO we can
save our powder and lead.
Sure enough, down by the rivers
bank they found several traps, which
were nothing but covered pens, with
the lower part of one side left open.
Corn was strewn around, and the
foolish binds had been enticed to en-
ter, but not discovering way to es-
cape at the top, never thought to re-
treat at the entrance at the bottom.
Half dozen large turkeys, re-
splendent with the brightest gold
tinged bronze, were found imprison-
ed in these traps.
Well, Peregrine, you take the first
pick, said Abiel, after they had
made a thorough examination of the
trapped fowls.
The Puritan lad hestated mo-
ment, then looking sadly into his
friends face, he answered:
1 don't think, Abiel, l will take
any of these turkeys.
Why, what do you mean Peregrine
asked Abiel, much surprised.
| mean, he replied, that the tur-
KEYS are not ours, and that we have
no right to them
But we found them.
Yes. but we did not set the traps
Suppose these traps were ours, and
somebody came along and took oul
game?
This is different an Indian sci
{ these and what's an Indian but 6
, savage? asked Abiel, stoutly, using
the same argument that the Govern
ment Agent had been using the las
hundred years.
> An Indian has rights and it woulc
! be mean to steal his property. III
q not touch one of these turkeys.
Master Peregrne shouldered hi
musket and stepped away very de
cidedly.
5 | don't want to be mean said Abiel
= turning away more slowly, and l don
believe but that an Indian woul(
y have taken ours, had he found them
y 1t does not concern US what b,
. would have done. We have had bet
L ter instruction than the savages, ane
ought to do better than they.
. All this time a 1.-the, dark body
= in the picturesque garb of Wam
) panoag lay secreted under the leave
= beside large rock near the turke'
traps, and as Peregrine and Able
y walked slowly away. the figure arose
revealing the copper visage of
= young Indian lad, who proceeded
stralghtway to load himself with th'
fou1 smallest fowls.
Il He hesitated, looked after the re
treating figure of the whites, scenes
. undetermined what to do, then start
ed off for Plymouth in a direction
e that led at right angles from tn
path that was taken by the boys.
t 1t was the Indian boy they calle
l. King James, partly because of hi
is pompous manners, and partly be
cause of his fantastic garb. Th
q turkeys were for Master Goodman
who had organized the shootin
'd match, and was in need of that mum
he Der of fowls to make the compile
se ment of turkeys.
+ The shooting was in full caree
he when Peregrine and Abiel arrived O
Is the ground. Both boys were 1ushe
and tired, but the excitement Operat
er ed upon their nerves as the sound 9
t. a trumpet upon a jaded war horse
ID Several successful shots had bee
E. made, and the fortunate marksme
/ were receiving the compliments Q
ST their companions.
A large number of the colonisl
as were standing around as spectators
lg for target-shooting, either as exel
IN else or pleasure, was one OF th
r amusements countenanced by th
over-scrupulous elders; and frol
as time to time person would ste
fk forth at the solicitation of his friend
to and try his skill.
lie AS one of these individuals, afte
e. an unsuccessful shot, retired, he re
of marked contemptuously:
Id A Wampanoag could beat tina
n. with a bow and arrow.
re Here's one, let him try it, erie