irection to
which the oldest Rover boy pointed.

"You are right, my lad," answered the old lumberman. "There is a fine
chance for all of you."

"What are they?" questioned Fred a trifle excitedly.

"Wild turkeys! And the best kind of eating--if you can only get close
enough to bring them down."

CHAPTER XXIII

UNEXPECTED VISITORS

"Oh, say! we've got to bring down at least one of those wild turkeys!"
cried Andy.

"Keep quiet," admonished Jack, speaking in a whisper. "If those turkeys
hear you they'll be gone in a jiffy."

"I didn't know there were any wild turkeys around here," remarked Randy.
"I thought they had been all cleaned out long ago."

"They are getting very scarce," answered Uncle Barney, "but once in a
while you will see a small flock of them. I was after that flock about a
week ago, but they got away from me. I've a notion that it's about the
last flock in this district."

While this talk was going on in low tones of voice, all of the Rovers
had abandoned the bobsled and were moving toward the shore of the
island.

"You had better come this way and crawl up in the shelter of yonder
rocks and brushwood," advised Uncle Barney. "And don't shoot until you
have a good aim and know what you're shooting at," he concluded.

It must be admitted that all of the boys were somewhat excited over the
prospect ahead. They caught only a brief glance at the game, but felt
certain that it was close at hand.

"Wild turkeys are a good sight better than rabbits or squirrels, or even
pheasants," said Fred. "They'll make dandy eating."

"Don't eat them until after you have shot them, Fred," remarked Andy
dryly.

"Hush," warned Jack. "Now, make as little noise as possible, and each of
you hold his gun ready for use."

They had not stopped to take off their skates, but this was unnecessary,
for the snow was deep and the skates merely kept them from slipping.
They pushed on around some large rocks, and then in between the thick
brushwood, where the snow fell upon their heads and shoulders, covering
them with white--something which was to their advantage, as it aided
them in hiding themselves from the game. Not far away they could hear
the wild turkeys, one in particular giving the peculiar gobble by which
they are well known.

"I see them," whispered Fred a minute later, and pointed with his gun.

There in a little clearing some distance ahead was a tall and long
turkey gobbler surrounded by a number