DUCK-SHOOTING. 241 
ped; the island is dotted with them—the best in 
the country—and as it was necessary to be up at 
two o’clock in the morning in order to follow down 
the creek and row out to the feeding grounds, we 
retired early. Strict injunctions were left with the 
hostler to wake us at the appointed hour; but as 
there was a grand ball going on in the hall adjoin- 
ing the hotel, his recollection was not to be depended 
upon. 
“The beds were good; but, either disturbed by 
dreams of ducks or sounds of revelry, my sleep was 
fitful. Iwas at last awakened by aloud noise, which 
I took to be some one knocking at the door, and 
sleepily rising, saw a light shining through the crack 
as it stood ajar. I woke my companion, who re- 
sponded with an unwilling grunt, and thinking the 
hostler had left the candle for our accommodation, 
I stepped out to get it. 
“The night was cold, my dress was light and airy, 
the distant sounds of expiring revelry were still 
faintly audible, and I hastened to get the light that 
I might hurry on warmer clothes. To my surprise, 
on opening the door, the candle appeared to be some 
yards off on the floor, in the middle of what seemed 
to be an adjoining room. My eyes, dazzled by the 
sudden change from total darkness, saw little as I 
stumbled forward; but when I turned, light in 
hand, to regain my room, I came suddenly upon a 
bed, and stopped as though shot. 
‘Gentlemen, a bed is nothing unusual or surpris- 
ing in a country tavern, but there is sometimes a 
11 
