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.