“If I ever git my hands on ye you’ll go to jail!” declared the farmer.  “I’ll learn you pesky rascals a lesson!”

“Teach—­not learn, uncle,” Harry flung back.  “You should be more careful about your grammar.”

“I believe you are one of them consarned student fellers.”

“You are a wonderful guesser.”

“If I can’t ketch ye I’ll report ye.”

When he had lead the man far enough so that he was sure the other fellows had plenty of start, Harry tossed aside the gun, which was an old muzzle-loading, single-barreled affair.

The panting farmer stopped and picked up the gun, then he stood and shook his fist at Rattleton, who was speeding away like a deer.

“Oh, I’ll report ye—­I will, by jee!” he vowed over and over.

In the meantime Merriwell had had a most exciting adventure.  He had found the turkey roost and had selected the biggest old gobbler of them all.  But the gobbler was a hard customer and he showed fight, whereupon there was a general squawking and squalling.

Clinging to his capture, Frank made a dash for the door.  He tripped and fell, and it is certain that by falling he saved himself from carrying off a charge of shot, if not from death.  He had tripped over a rope that connected with a spring gun, which was discharged, and some of the shot tore through his coat sleeve.

Then he heard the dog, and he knew he was in for a hot time.  He gave the old gobbler’s neck a fierce wring, then dropped the turkey just in time to meet the dog.

The creature sprang for Frank’s throat, and the boy struck him with the club which he had brought along.  The dog dropped to the ground, but immediately made another dash.  Frank was fortunate in getting in a lick that stretched the animal quivering on the ground.

He could hear Rattleton and Robinson whooping wildly, but he knew no time was to be lost in getting away, so he caugh up the gobbler and ran.

Frank heard the farmer calling for him to stop, but, with Mr. Gobbler dangling on his back, he fled the faster.

The gun spoke, but he was not touched, and he did not stop to look around, so he did not know how Harry had saved him.

Three-quarters of an hour later the five fellows who had started out on the turkey chase met on the outskirts of New Haven.  They came up one at a time, Rattleton being the last to appear.  There was a general feeling of relief when it was found that all were there safe and sound.

It was decided that they should go into the city one at a time, taking different routes.  Frank believed he could reach the house without being stopped, although it would be no very easy job.

He was remarkably successful until he was on York Street and close to Mrs. Harrington’s.  The street seemed clear, and he wondered where all the fellows could be, when of a sudden a tall form in dark clothes stepped right out before him.  He gave a gasp, for at a glance he seemed to recognize one of the professors.