136 AMEEICAN" GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



"How is that?" I asked. 



" It's plain enough, I'm sure. You know the big fish 

 eat the little fish; the osprey preys on all, if it gets the 

 chance; while that bully, the eagle, which has no merit 

 except strength, takes them away from the bird which 

 catches them. Talk of Justice in this world! In my 

 opinion the longest pole gets the persimmons — in other 

 words that might makes right with the majority of men, 

 and with every animal. People talk about fair play, but 

 they never show it if it is to their advantage not to do 

 so." 



''There are some exceptions," I replied. 



"Yes, but such men are sure to be beaten by others 

 who are more unscrupulous. Those two aerial dramas 

 which we have just witnessed fairly represent human na- 

 ture, while the doctor is the hero of one of the pieces, 

 for he could have shot both duck and hawk if he wished, 

 and I believe he would, too, if he had wanted the duck 

 for dinner." 



Not being in a mood for argument just then, I allowed 

 him to philosophize to his heart's content until night 

 came on, and then returned to the tent, where our plans 

 were laid for the work of the coming day. We were to 

 shoot and fish, taking everything edible that we came 

 across, but only in sufficient quantities to liberally supply 

 our wants, as we did not wish to wantonly destroy any- 

 thing having the semblance of life. When everything 

 was understood, I went out to take a last look at the 

 lake, and found it so enchantingly attractive that I gazed 

 long and earnestly at it. The moon being at the full, her 

 soft rays illuminated every object quite distinctly, and 

 rippled and played in the water in such a manner as to 

 recall visions of fairy-land. The silence was so great as 

 to seem droning, but the inmates of the forest and moun- 

 tains obtained their voices after awhile, and rent the 

 night air with their cries. The weird calls of the loons 



