258 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE PACIFIC. 



home, and the sky was still darkened by im- 

 mense flocks of ducks preparing to settle in 

 their favourite retreat. Our canoe leaked so 

 badly with the additional weight she carried, 

 that it was with difficulty we kept her afloat ; 

 and darkness had long set in, when, after 

 paddling for four weary hours we again hauled 

 her up on the beach near the village. 



On joining E , I found that he had never 



reached Casadero, the Yankee having lost his 

 way, and so lost him a capital day's sport ; he 

 had, however, bagged a magnificent "pato- 

 reale," weighing fully eight pounds. 



We slept at the ranch that night, and the 

 next morning were in the saddle before daylight, 

 on our way back to the ship. As we rode 

 through the woods the chacalacas were calling 

 in all directions, and hopping from tree to tree; 



E bagged five without going off the path, 



and we might have got many more had we 

 cared to do so. 



