CHAPTER XXI
ROAST TURKEY.
Frank's appearance, with the turkey still in his possession, was hailedwith shouts of delight.
"We didn't know as you would get in," said Jones. "I invited some moreof the fellows up here, as you see, and we found out that some of thesophs seemed to know something unusual was going on."
"That's right," nodded Rattleton. "They were laying for us. Two of themstopped me when I reached York Street. They told me to give up what Ihad, but I didn't have anything to give up, so they let me go."
Then Frank told of his adventure with a person who looked like ProfessorGrant.
"That's it!" cried Little. "That was their game! They were after ourturkey."
"But how did they know we were after turkey?" asked Robinson.
"They must have been told by somebody," said Street.
"And that means we have a tattler among us," declared BurnhamPutnam--Old Put--looking keenly around.
The boys looked at each other suspiciously, wondering if there was oneof the number who would carry to the sophs.
To Frank's surprise he saw that Walter Gordon was there. Jack Diamondwas also present.
Frank found an opportunity to get close to Dismal and whisper in hisear:
"Great Caesar, old man! why did you invite Gordon here?"
"I did not."
"Then how does he happen to be here? He didn't come without aninvitation, I am sure of that."
"He was in Billy's when I asked Put to come up. I knew you would like tohave Put here."
"That's all right."
"Well, Put asked Gordon to come along before I could prevent it. Ofcourse I didn't have the crust to make any objection after that."
"I should say not! It's all right, but you want to remember that thesophs found out something was going on. Did Gordon come right along withyou?"
"No. He said he'd have to go to his room, but he showed up a few minutesafter we arrived here."
"Lots of mischief can be done in a few minutes. Did he know just whatwas going on here?"
"Well, he knew somebody had gone out into the country to swipe somethingfor a feast."
"And it is pretty plain that the sophs became aware of the same fact.Here is food for reflection, Dismal."
"You are right."
The foragers told of their adventures in capturing the turkey, and therewas a great deal of laughter over it. Merriwell showed how near he cameto getting shot, and it was universally agreed that he was remarkablylucky.
Harry told how he had bowled the old farmer over just as the man wasabout to shoot at Frank, and then he convulsed them with laughter byrelating the capture of the gun and the chase he had led the hayseed.
Robinson said he thought Harry was crazy when he rushed after the farmerin the way he did.
"I couldn't understand what sort of a game he was up to," said Bandy,"and I didn't feel like following him into the jaws of the lion, so Iheld aloof. I saw him fling his club at the old duffer and saw it knockhim down. Then, when I was sure Harry was all right, I legged it."
"Farmer Baldwin's dog will have a sore head in the morning," smiledFrank. "The last crack I gave him stretched him quivering on the ground.Hope it didn't kill the brute."
"Hope it didn't?" shouted Little. "I hope it did!"
"But I don't want to pay for his old dog."
"Pay for it! Are you dopy, daft, or what's the matter with you? Why,that man had a spring gun set, and it would have filled you full of shotif you hadn't tripped!"
"He had a right to set a spring gun in his own shed to protect histurkey roost from marauders."
The boys stared at Frank in amazement.
"Say, Merriwell," said Uncle Blossom, gravely, "you're an enigma. Greatpoker! The idea of calling us marauders!"
"What else were we?"
"Boys, it is our duty to take him out and hold him under under thehose!"
"Gentlemen," said Jack Diamond, who was present, "you will have a reallively time if you try to do it. I fully agree with Mr. Merriwell thatthe farmer had a right to protect his property."
"Whe-e-ew!" whistled several lads, and then they all cried together:"Goodness, how the wind blows!"
The boys had come to understand in a measure Diamond's chivalric natureand sentiments, and it did not seem strange that he should see somethingimproper in stealing turkeys from a farmer; but it did appear ratherremarkable that Merriwell should maintain such an idea after he hadtaken a hand in the game.
"It must be that you chaps intend to become parsons after you leavecollege," said Walter Gordon, rather derisively.
"And Merriwell would pay for the dog if he killed the beast!" exclaimedUncle Blossom. "How about the turkey? I should have thought you'd paidfor that."
"I did."
"What!"
That word was a roar, and it seemed to leap from the lips of every ladin the room, with the exception of Diamond and Merriwell. The boys wereall on their feet, and they stared at Frank with bulging eyes, as ifthey beheld a great curiosity.
Merriwell simply smiled. He was quite cool and unruffled.
"You--you paid--for--the--turkey!" gasped Lucy Little, as if it cost hima mighty effort to get the words out.
"Exactly," bowed Frank.
"How? When? Where?"
"I pinned a five-dollar bill to the roost before I laid violent hands onthe old gobbler. Baldwin will find it there in the morning."
"Water!" panted Robinson as he flopped down on a chair. "I think I amgoing to faint!"
"Oh, think of the beautiful beers that V would have paid for!" sighedRobinson, with a doleful shake of his head.
"This is a disgrace on the famous class of 'Umpty-eight!" shouted LewisLittle. "We can never wipe it out!"
"I fear not," said Easy Street. "It is really awful!"
"And to think Merriwell should have done it. It would have served himright if that spring gun had filled him with shot!"
"Excuse these few tears!" exclaimed Blossom, who had secretly opened abottle of beer and saturated his handkerchief with the contents.
He now proceeded to wring the handkerchief in a highly dramatic manner.
"Go ahead," laughed Frank. "Have all the sport you like over it, but Ifeel easy in my mind."
Some one proposed not to eat the turkey at all, but there was adissenting shout at that. Then the bird was taken down into the cellarby three of them and stripped of its feathers. A pan and necessarydishes had been borrowed of Mrs. Harrington, and there was a roaringhard-wood fire in the open grate.
Harry officiated as cook, and set about his duties in a manner thatshowed he was not a novice, while the other lads looked on with greatinterest, telling stories and cracking jokes.
Merriwell offered to bet Robinson that woman was created before man, butBandy was shy, scenting a sell. However, Frank kept at him, finallyoffering to let Robinson himself decide. At length Robinson "bit," and asmall wager was made.
"Now," cried Bandy, "go ahead and prove that woman was made before man.You can't do it."
"That's dead easy," smiled Frank. "I know you will readily acknowledgethat Eve was the first maid."
"No, I'll be hanged if--"
Then Robinson stopped short, for he saw the point, and the others werelaughing heartily and applauding.
"The first maid!" he muttered. "Oh, thunder! What a soft thing I am! Youhave won, Merriwell."
The turkey began to give out a most delicious odor, and the boys snuffedthe air with the keenest delight. How hungry they were! How jollyeverything seemed! There was not one of the party who did not feel verygrateful to think he was living that night.
At last the turkey was done. Harry pronounced it done, and it wascertainly browned and basted in beautiful style. It was a monster, butthere would be none too much for that famished crowd.
Frank and Blossom assisted Harry in serving. There were not enoughplates for all, but that did not matter. They managed to get along allright. Some were forced to drink their beer ou
t of the bottle, butnobody murmured.
The turkey was white and tender, and it was certainly very well cooked.It had a most delicious flavor. And how good the beer was with it! Howthose fellows jollied Merriwell because he would not even taste thebeer. And still they secretly admired him for it. He had the nerve tosay no and stick to it, which they could not help admiring.
When the turkey was all gone cigars were passed, and nearly every one"fired up." Then Harry and Frank got out a banjo and mandolin and gavethe party some lively music. It was long after two o'clock, but whocared for that? Nobody thought of the hour. If Mrs. Harringtoncomplained in the morning, she must be pacified with a peace offering.
They sang "Old Man Moses," "Solomon Levi," "Bingo," and a dozen more.There were some fine voices among them. Finally a quartet was formed,consisting of Merriwell, Rattleton, Diamond and Blossom. It positivelywas a treat to hear them sing "Good-by, My Little Lady."
"The boats are pushing from the shore, Good-by, my little lady! With brawny arm and trusty oar, Each man is up and ready; I see our colors dancing Where sunlit waves are glancing; A fond adieu I'll say to you, My lady true and fair.
"Good-by, good-by, my lady sweet! Good-by, my little lady! Good-by, good-by, again we'll meet, So here's farewell, my lady!"
Oh, those old college songs! How they linger in the memory! How thesound of them in after years stirs the blood and quickens the pulse! Andnever can other songs seem half so beautiful as those!
It was after two when the party broke up, but it was a night long to beremembered.