DUCK SHOOTING IN CALCASIEU PARISH 



somewhat accentuated by a habit of slowly 

 stroking his beard. Much impressed, I re- 

 garded him with a feeling of reverence. Had 

 I been present at a revival meeting, the pose 

 and genial appearance would have suited the 

 occasion, silence having been secured by the 

 exhortation, "Let us pray." I broke the 

 magic spell by politely asking the new arrival 

 whether he was a sportsman and fond of 



shooting. "Can I shoot? By " (a blue 



streak a yard long imparted all necessary 

 emphasis). "Young man, before my eyes 

 went back on me, old Uncle Dave could hit 

 any living creature." 



After a brief conversation my new ac- 

 quaintance cordially invited me to visit him, 

 and also extended the privilege of occupying 

 his lodge at a place called Sabine Pass, about 

 twenty miles away. This is not the noted 

 Sabine Pass in Texas, but merely a local 

 name. All reports seemed to confirm the 

 reputation of Sabine Pass, so I concluded to 

 73 



