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beach, chattered, screamed, and fluttered about in great 

 glee, and finally sailed over the creek and away to their 

 roost, without having left a solitary unfortunate to pay 

 for having meddled with my baited hooks. I jumped 

 into the skiff, and soon paid a visit to my unsuccessful 

 snare. The corn was all gone ; the very hooks were all 

 bare, and it was evident that some other expedient must be 

 adopted before I could hope to succeed. Had I caught 

 but one or two alive, it was my intention to have em- 

 ployed them to procure the destruction of others, in a 

 manner I shall hereafter describe. 



