“This isn’t so nice,” observed Harry, as they tugged at the ropes of the sleds. “I’ll go ahead and break the way,” said Joel Runnell, and then he continued, suddenly, “There is your chance!” “Chance for what?” asked Harry. “Chance for wild turkeys. They’ve just settled in the woods on the upper end of the Triangle.” “Hurrah!” shouted Joe. “Where is my gun?” He had it out in an instant, and Fred and Harry followed suit—the latter forgetting all about his precious camera in the excitement. “You can go it alone this time,” said the old hunter. “Show me what you can do. I’ll watch the traps.” In a moment they were off, and five minutes of hard skating brought them to the shore of the Triangle. Here they took off their skates, and then plunged into the snow-laden thickets. “Make no noise!” whispered Joe, who was in advance. “Wild turkeys are hard to get close to.” “Oh, I know that,” came from Fred. “I’ve tried it more than half a dozen times.” As silently as ghosts the three young hunters flitted through the woods, each with his gun before him, ready for instant use. Presently they saw a little clearing ahead, and Joe called a halt. They listened intently and heard the turkeys moving from one tree to another. “Now then, watch out—and be careful how you shoot,” cautioned Joe, and moved out into the open. A second later he caught sight of a turkey, and blazed away. The aim was true, and the game came down with a flutter. Then Harry’s gun rang out, followed by a shot from Fred. Two more turkeys had been hit, but neither was killed. “They mustn’t get away!” cried Fred, excitedly, and blazed away once more. But his aim was wild, and the turkey was soon lost among the trees in the distance. Harry was more fortunate, and his second shot landed the game dead at his feet. Joe tried for a second turkey, but without success. “Never mind, two are not so bad,” said Harry, “It’s a pity you didn’t get yours,” he went on, to Fred. “Oh, I’ll get something next time, you see if I don’t,” replied the stout youth. “I don’t care for small game, anyway. A deer or a bear is what I am after.” “Well, I hope you get all you want of deer and bear,” put in Joe; and then they hastened to rejoin Joel Runnell, and resume the journey. CHAPTER VII THE FIRST DAY IN CAMP “Got two, did you?” came from Joel Runnell, when the party came up. “That’s a good deal better than I looked for.” “I hit a third, but it got away from me,” said Fred. “You mustn’t mind that. I’ve seen young gunners go out more than once and not bring a thing down,” returned the old hunter.