' 256 



SPORTING ADVENTURES 



refreshment, I took to the canoe again, and 

 pushed on for the upper end of the lagoon, 

 where " Walk-in " declared there were any 

 number of ducks. For an hour or more we 

 paddled along under a burning sun, disturbing 

 the alligators which were basking on the banks, 

 sometimes eight or ten of them would glide into 

 the water together, and rise again close to our 

 frail craft, as though they would like to improve 

 the acquaintance of its occupants ; occasionally 

 one would become too familiar, when a charge 

 of buck-shot delivered into the eye at three 

 yards, generally had the desired effect, and sent 

 him off, lashing the water with his tail and 

 staining it with his blood. At length we 

 reached the head of the lagoon, and, peeping 

 through the rushes, we saw a large swamp, 

 wherein many thousands of duck, widgeon, and 

 teal were feeding in fancied security. 



Pushing the canoe through the rushes, we 

 launched her in this sanctuary, when the sport 

 began. 4 ' Walk-in,' ' naturally a man of few words, 

 now showed himself to be not wanting in intel- 



