THE DROWNED LANDS. 223 



bad one, for a dozen ducks fell at the shot, and several 

 more at intervals came slanting down from the flock. 

 The effect of this unexpected attack drove the wing of 

 the flock into the main body, clustering them together in 

 a compact mass, when I fired both barrels. My stronger 

 shooting gun bored a hole through the black mass, and 

 twenty-seven ducks fell on the open water, and two or 

 three went down aslant into the reeds. Three and a 

 half dozen ducks was the contribution that one flock 

 made to our booty. I still looked longingly after them 

 as they went floating around the horizon, like banks of 

 minute flies that wave at midsumer from prominent 

 points on the shores of Great Lakes, undulating with the 

 wind. But they passed away in the dim horizon, pro- 

 bably being unwilling to make another trial of the 

 Drowned Lands after so unpleasant a reception. 



Hardly had we secured all our ducks, after re-shooting 

 the winged ones, before the Doctor's canoe burst through 

 the reeds. 



" Hulloah !" 



" Hulloah ! 



" How many birds ?" 



" Ah ! plenty. Talk of hunting !" said the Doctor, 

 " this is my hunter's pai-adise. A good boat to row you, 

 and boys to pick up the game; no running yourself 

 out of breath, or heavy pack on your back !" And the 

 speaker took off his slouched hat, and rubbed his curly 

 hair and shiny face with his handkerchief till it was all 

 a-glow, laughing the while with his low musical voice. 



