The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-23

Oui WE'LL returned tue ldrmef 4cdle-
lessly, "the Indians didn't always have guns
either, and they used to get plenty of them.
Some years. when there wasn't much in the
forest for them to eat they used to get so
hungry they were pretty easily caught, I
expect"
Just as Bobbie was about to inquire into
the Indians method of hunting without fire
arms a call from the house summoned the
farmer to dinner, and, to their great de-
light, a cordial invitation was given the
boys TO accompany him into the big, clean
kitchen, where the long table was set for
dinner. Such dinner the boys had never
before tasted, and in their appreciation of it
the object of their search was for a time
forgotten; but during their long walk
and Bobbie declared his belief that 1t would
be the easiest thing In the world to bag
turkey for the great day, II they would set
about 1t In the proper manner
But" anxiously inquired Ted what do
you think the Indians could have used to kill
them with If they hadn't any guns?"
'Oh," returned Bobbie, airily, most
likely they used clubs. Maybe they coaxed
them up close to them with corn or some
thing-you know he said sometimes they
got dreadful hungry-and l presume they
came right up to them, and all they had to
do was to knock them over"
This plausible theory was accepted without
comment, and for the next few days mys-
terry wrapped the two about and many
were the visits paid to the quiet nook be.
hind the shed to plan for the coming hunt.
At last the morning before Thanksgiving
dawned clear, sharp and cold, and the two
hunters sailed forth, one armed with good
sized stick and the other with a paper
sack, which held little store of corn. To-
day there were no pauses by the way. The
boys made straight for the patch of woods
behind Farmer Bassett's barn, and at last,
tired, but triumphant, they clambered over
the last fence between the road and the
forest and breathed a sigh of relief that
now their errand was so nearly accom-
plished, for they never doubted that the
woods would be filed with game.
For a long time they tramped about among
the fallen leaves without catching sight of
any living thing save themselves, and then,
all at once, a great rustling of leaves off In
the forest warned them that something was
coming, and the next moment they were
face to face with an enormous turkey COB
bier the lordly leader of the flock of hens
which followed him so meekly.
'"Oh Ohl' cried Ted, grasping wildly at
his brothers arm in his excitement. Bob
bic rose to the situation. Keep still" he
said, sternly. give me the corn and let me
try to coax them nearer"
With lavish hand he scattered the golden
kernels, and though at first the flock seemed
surprised at being fed at this particular
place and time they drew nearer and
nearer, and were soon eagerly devouring the
scattered corn. Warily Bobbie waited until
Just the proper moment, and then with a
well directed sweep of his stick laid the COB
bier, kicking and Topping, at his feet, while
the startled hens scuttled away through
the woods.
Proud indeed, were the two young hunt
ers as they gazed at the great bird which
lay at their feet, and Ted was gravely exc
cutting an exultant two-step about the limp
carcass, when Farmer Bassett's round, red
face peeped in upon them. ''Well, well,
wellr' he CALCULATED, in great establishment,
when his eyes took In the two hunters and
their prize. What does this mean?
should like to knowi' why" explained
Bobbie, eagerly, almost bursting with pride,
I'VE came out hunting, just as you said.
and this is the turkey we killed. Ny! 1t
was just as easy. He seemed as tame as
anything"
$50 1 should judge" said Farmer Bias
sett, gravely, although his eyes twlnkled
merrily beneath his shaggy brows as he took
in the full meaning of the scene. "You'd
better let me take off his head for you, )" tax
ing a big, horn-handled knife from his
pocket, and, suting the action to the word,
"and I'll just give you lift with him as
far as the road. He'll be pretty heavy
load for you boys before you get him home"
A few moments later he bade his small
friends goodbye, and watched them trudge
away down the road two tiny specks stag
gering beneath the weight of their prize.
"And now,' he said with a chuckle, ''Ill
go back to the woods and hunt up that flock
of turkeys, though what Sary Jane will say
when / come driving them home without
old King is more than 1 know. To think
them little rascals should have knocked him
over with a stickl Well, well, the little
chaps had plenty of pluck, at any rate, and
I'll never be the one to tell them what a
mistake they've made. And what's more,
I'll see to 1t that the rest of their dinner
isn't lacking tomorrow, too" And Farmer
Bassett was as good as his word, and the
people In the little cottage knew full and
complete Thanksgiving the next day.