224: WILD SPOKTS IN THE SOUTH. 



" How many ducks, Miss Jackson ?" 



" Oh, ten for rue, I believe ; but they are beauties. 

 Paddle up closer, boyg, and let us see." 



" Hulloah ! where did you get all those ? Great is 

 Diana, but that is a pretty sight !" exclaimed the Doctor, 

 leaning over to look at our ducks, that were neatly piled 

 up on one of the seats, with their breasts up, and their 

 heads hanging one way. 



" These are out of the flock we saw come over to- 

 day." 



" I thought so ; they just got up here, didn't they ? It 

 was a noble flock blue wings, all of them." 



" Oh ! there are your ducks. Why, you only have 

 ten altogether. Where are those you shot, Doctor ?" 



" Oh, I didn't care to shoot. Miss Lou, here, is a 

 pupil of mine, and I like to let her try." 



A suppressed nasal explosion from one of the boys in 

 the Doctor's canoe informed me, if I had needed the 

 information, that the Doctor was not a very true hand 

 with the ducks, and that the lady was doing all the 

 work. 



" Well, there is the Palm Tree Island, I presume, not 

 a great way ahead. Is it time for lunch ?" 



" Yes, I think so," said Miss Jackson, " if appetite is 

 any test." * 



" Try some cold tea," said I, extending the bottle of 

 that refreshing hunter's beverage. 



" Ah !" said she, after a long drink, " that is a spring 

 in the desert." 



