5 6 Waterfowl. 



saries ; on a short trip a little oilskin one, for the tooth- 

 brush, soap, towel, etc., will do. 



On the evening in question our camping-ground was 

 an excellent one ; we had no trouble about any thing, 

 except that we had to bring water to the horses in pails, 

 for the banks were too steep and rotten to get them down 

 to the river. The beds were made under a great elm, and 

 in a short time the fire was roaring in front of them, while 

 the tender grouse were being roasted on pointed sticks. 

 One of the pleasantest times of camping out is the period 

 immediately after supper, when the hunters lie in the 

 blaze of the firelight, talking over what they have done 

 during the day and making their plans for the morrow. 

 And how soundly a man who has worked hard sleeps in 

 the open, none but he who has tried it knows. 



Before we had risen in the morning, when the black- 

 ness of the night had barely changed to gray, we were 

 roused by the whistle of wings, as a flock of ducks flew 

 by along the course of the stream, and lit in the water 

 just above the camp. Some kinds of ducks in lighting 

 strike the water with their tails first, and skitter along the 

 surface for a few feet before settling down. Lying in our 

 blankets we could plainly hear all the motions : first of all, 

 the whistle whistle of their wings; then a long-drawn 

 splash-h-h plump ; and then a low, conversational quack- 

 ing. It was too dark to shoot, but we got up and ready, 

 and strolled down along the brink of the river opposite 

 where we could hear them ; and as soon as we could see 

 we gave them four barrels and picked up half a dozen 

 scaup-ducks. Breakfast was not yet ready, and we took 



