226 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXIV. 



possible, though I have known instances of their 

 swimming rivers. 



" We must try to get a brace of grouse or some- 

 thing to take up to the shepherd's/' said my com- 

 panion, " as you're no that fond of braxy, sir, and 

 I doubt if we shall get any other 've-ni-son' there 

 the night." " Indeed I am not fond of braxy," 

 was my answer ; " and a grouse or two we must 

 get." But we had first to eat our luncheon, 

 having breakfasted hastily at a very early hour, 

 and we determined to perform this ceremony at a 

 spring about a mile ahead of us ; and, as I remem- 

 bered having frequently seen a pair or two of 

 ducks about it in frosty weather, when we drew 

 near the place we advanced with great care, keep- 

 ing ourselves well concealed till within twenty 

 yards of the spot. " Now, then, Donald, you look 

 over the bank, and see if any ducks are feeding 

 on the grass about the well. If there are, you 

 shoot at them on the ground, and I will take them 

 flying." Donald wormed himself on a little, 

 regardless of filling his pockets with snow, and, 

 having looked cautiously over, beckoned to me to 

 come nearer, which I did. " There are six bonny 

 gray dukes feeding about the well, sir ; three 

 drakes and three dukes." " Take care then, 

 Donald, and get two or three of them in a line 



