7 
a statue in his anchored boat. His shotgun 
rested on his knees, and he was evidently 
awaiting a shot at the wild-fowl that occasion- 
ally fly over at this season of the year. Anx- 
ious to secure a nearer view of my hermit 
friend, I rowed towards him in such a manner 
as not to arouse his suspicions of my curiosity 
inspired purpose. I rowed but a short distance 
when I observed a fine flock of wild ducks fly 
over me. At once I turned my attention to the 
lone sportsman. He also saw the game and 
was standing easily in his boat and taking care- 
ful aim. As the flock passed directly over him 
he fired, when to my surprise and horror, he 
lost his balance, dropped his gun and madly 
grasped at the side of his boat as he went over- 
board and disappeared from my anxious gaze, 
in the swiftly rushing current. Believing the 
current would carry him far below his anchored 
boat, I pulled with all my strength to intercept 
him as he came down stream. Soon his head 
appeared above the surface of the water, a hun- 
dred yards or so from me. Increasing my 
efforts I soon rested in his way as the swift 
current swept him toward me, and I called to 
him to seize hold of my boat. He was an ex- 
pert swimmer and soon grasped the stern of my 
boat, when I shipped my oars, and helped him 
aboard, chilled from the effects of his untimely 
bath. 
When safely seated in my boat, and having 
recovered his breath after his exhausting efforts, 
