The shiftless one listened a moment or two and replied:
"Yes, I kin make it out."
"I say it's the twang of a bowstring, Sol."
"So do I, Henry."
"They're probably shooting the turkeys out of the trees with arrows. Saves noise and their powder and lead, too."
"Wherein the Injun shows a heap o' sense, Henry."
"I can hear more than one bow twanging now, Sol. The turkeys must be plentiful hereabouts, but even with bows and arrows only used against 'em they're bound to take alarm soon."
"Yes, thar go some o' 'em gobblin' now, an' they're flyin' this way."
They heard the whirr of wings carrying heavy bodies, and frightened turkeys flew directly over their heads. As the Indians might come in pursuit, Henry and Shif'less Sol lay down among the bushes. A shouting broke out near them, and the forest, for a wide space, was filled with the whirring of wings.
"The biggest flock o' wild turkeys that ever wuz must hev roosted right 'roun' us," said Shif'less Sol, "'cause I seem to see 'em by the dozens."