“We’ve got ter have one of them young turks if it takes all night.”

They entered the swamp and got sight of one of the turkeys as he ran along a log, and they walked to where they saw the bird, only to get another glimpse at about the same distance.  Again they followed the birds, this time as cautiously as if they had been stalking hostile Indians.  Often they saw one or more of the turkeys, but never within easy range.

“Better try a long shot.  They’re gettin’ wild,” said Johnny.

“No, you try ’em, Johnny; you’re used to the rifle and you’re a better shot than I, anyhow.”

[Illustration:  “WE’VE GOTTER HAVE ONE OF THEM YOUNG TURKS IF IT TAKES ALL NIGHT”]

Johnny took the weapon, and his chance came soon.  One of the young birds lit on a stump within long range of him and remained there until he had taken a careful sight and fired.  The bird fell, and the rest of the brood flew into the depths of the swamp.  When the boys were ready to start back to camp, Dick discovered to his chagrin that he had no idea of the direction in which they should travel.  Johnny, too, was in some doubt, and as it was already growing dark and they had been traveling in the swamp for an hour or two, he proposed that they camp right where they were.

“How can we camp here?  Water’s knee-deep, there’s no place for a fire, and I’d starve to death before morning.  Don’t you expect to have anything to eat until to-morrow?”

“Bet yer I do!  What’s the matter with young turkey?”

“Young turkey’s bully, but raw turkey’s bum.”

Johnny laughed and waded to where a fallen tree had left a level place among its upturned roots.  A few minutes’ work with the hatchet, which Johnny always carried when hunting, cleared out a good foundation for a fire.

“Bully for you!  I’ll dress the turkey while you build a fire,” said Dick.

By the time the bird was ready for the frying-pan, Johnny had not only built the fire, but had cut a lot of poles and rigged up a rough cot between the fallen tree and a rotten log that lay near it.  Johnny cut some thin slices of bacon for the frying-pan and then filled it with thick slices and chunks of turkey.  When this had been cooked and disposed of, Dick still looked hungry, and another panful of the bird was fried.  Dick slept some during the night, but complained that he had a map of his bunk on his back, which had been printed deeply.  When breakfast was over and the last bone of the turkey had been picked, the boys turned their faces to the east and started for their camp.  They soon reached an open glade, which was quite unfamiliar to them, and were about to enter it, when Johnny, who was ahead, slipped behind a tree and held up his hand warningly to Dick, who promptly got behind another.  Two deer were in the opening, about a hundred yards to windward of the boys, toward whom they were slowly feeding.  Dick was excited and was nervously raising his rifle, when Johnny whispered: