poss-up, gobbler; shake a head, fool; don't a see 'em pokin gun at 'em?"
These cries, which were intended as much to distract the attention of the marksman, as for any thing else, where, however, fruitless. The nerves of the wood-chopper were not so easily shaken, and he took his aim with the utmost deliberation. The dead stillness of expectation prevailed for a moment, and he fired. The head of the turkey was seen to dash on one side, and its wings were spread in momentary fluttering; but it settled it self down, calmly, into its bed of snow, and glanced its eyes uneasily around. For a time long enough to draw a deep breath, not a sound was heard. The silence was then broken, by the noise of the negro, who laughed, and shook his body, with all kinds of antics, rolling over in the snow with the excess of his delight.
"Well done a gobbler," he cried, jumping up, and affecting to embrace his bird; "I tell 'em to poss-up. and you see 'em dodge. Gib anoder shillin, Billy, and hab anoder shot."
"No—the shot is mine," said the young hunter; "you have my money already. Leave the mark, and let me try my luck."
'Ah! it's but money thrown away, lad," said Leather-locking. "A turkey's head and neck is but a small mark for a new hand and a lame shoulder. You'd best let me take the fire, and maybe we can make some sittlement with the lady about the bird."
"The chance is mine," said the young hunter. "Clear the ground, that I may take it."
The discussions and disputes concerning the last shot were now abating, it having been determined, that if the turkey's head had been any where but just where it was at the moment, the bird must certainly have been killed. There was
