he other answered. "River turn many
times, but through swamp it is easy to go straight away."

"Then unless we started up, and ran for it, Gabe could get there sooner
than our motor boat; is that a fact, Tony?"

"Yes," replied the swamp boy, with a sigh, "Gabe get there first,
anyhow!"

CHAPTER XIV

LARRY PICKS UP SOME MORE POINTERS

Although the boys had left their stopping place that morning in
something of a hurry upon sighting the advancing posse of the sheriff,
it must not be supposed for one minute that they had forgotten all
about the treat they had been anticipating in the way of breakfast.

Larry had it firmly fixed in his mind; and as soon as he could coax
Tony to go ashore, the swamp boy and himself had opened the primitive
oven in which they had placed the noble turkey.

It was found done to a turn, cooked beautifully by the heat that had
been retained all through the night. Possibly the boys missed the
customary brown, outside appearance, such as they had always seen in a
fowl roasted in an ordinary oven; but for all that it was delicious.

Larry had gone into ecstasies when enjoying the meal; which was eaten
while on the way down the river; the coming of Barker and his following
having started the expedition suddenly.

And many times during that day had Larry referred to the great luck
that had befallen him during his grand hunt. He would never cease to
plume himself on having actually bagged that king bird of the American
forest, and which is usually so timid that only the most experienced
hunter can secure such a trophy.

"And," he would say, as he picked a drumstick at noon with the keenest
of relish, "our good luck didn't stop with my having bagged the
gobbler, either."

"That's a fact," Phil had remarked; "our coming on the spot had
considerable to do with this lunch we're making right now. Because,
only for that, it might be a funeral feast instead of a joy spread, eh,
Larry?"

"Well, that's just about right, Phil," the fat youth had replied,
turning just a shade paler than usual, although on account of his rosy
hue this fact could hardly be noticed, to tell the truth; "but I wasn't
thinking of that; and please don't mention it too often, for it's apt
to take my appetite away."

"Then tell us what you did mean?" demanded his chum.

"I was thinking first of all how fortunate for us that the delicious
odor of our cooking turk didn't ooze out from the oven," Larry went on.