AN APRIL HIKE 37 



the horizon and slanted across the flat, it lighted 

 up a picture which alone would have repaid the 

 long thirty-mile tramp. For in and around the 

 blue pond-hole, a quarter of a mile distant, on 

 the bare pasture, several hundred waveys were 

 sitting, their glistening masses, whiter than any 

 snow, glinting most wondrously in the sharp 

 morning light. But soon they rose in a seething, 

 clamorous assemblage, and quickly stringing out 

 in order, went westward. 



As the end of the line passed the hills, the 

 kodak clicked; then I shouldered my traps and 

 struck off again. In order to carry out my in- 

 tention of circling the lake, it was necessary now 

 to go down to the shore and follow it that I 

 might escape the sloughs that flanked it for 

 many miles. On account of being so warmly 

 sheltered, these sloughs were all free of ice and 

 all astir with the hardier members of the duck 

 tribe. The steady, half-musical jabber of their 

 voices arose on every side, for all were filled with 

 the vivacious spirit of the spring-time. They were 

 a gay throng, these gaudy drakes mallard, 

 spoonbill, pintail, whistler, and American mer- 

 ganser and every heart-storming masher 



