5l8 DUCK SHOOTING. 



whoa, to hide, hold up, and to sneak, or crawl through 

 cover, and, of course, to bring and carry for you. He 

 will learn even quicker than your silky-haired setter, 

 and when you have taught him everything you 

 can think of, and he becomes an accomplished dog, 

 * * * then you will pat that faded-looking coat and 

 swear he is a darling ; and when you watch him lying 

 hidden in the wild rice or beside you in the blind, the 

 tip of his brown nose just visible as he keeps a sharp 

 lookout for ducks, sometimes directing your attention 

 to a stray incomer you have not seen, you will say he 

 is the best companion you ever had ; but when you see 

 him — at the command — dash through icy-cold water, 

 clambering over and diving under driftwood and cakes 

 of ice after a winged duck, and when after a chase of a 

 mile he gets her, and breasting the billows and current 

 back, places her in your hands so tenderly that not a 

 feather is torn, gives himself a shake, but not close 

 enough to wet you, ready for another plunge, then you 

 will know him for the hero he is. Again, let off both 

 barrels into a flock of fliers and tell him to 'fetch 'em 

 in.' Mark his sagacity. He passes the dead ones and 

 those sorely wounded and goes straight for some crip- 

 ple that is trying desperately to get away, and she has 

 got to leave the water to escape him. If she dives, 

 down he goes after her. So, one by one, he brings them 

 in, the dead ones nearest at hand last. Oftentimes, in 

 the haste and excitement of retrieving a half dozen or 

 more ducks, he may neglect to place the dead ones in 

 your hand, but, bringing them to shore, leaves them 



