244 ^^^ SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



structed and is now a perfect bed of mud. I started off 

 in company with the captain, taking a route across the 

 fields and through the woods. The photographer and 

 George Ross have preceded us. Cunningham's horses 

 drag the heavily-loaded wagon slowly along the highway. 

 The pedestrian is able to make better time than these 

 horses under the circumstances, A brisk walk of three 

 miles enabled the captain and myself to overtake the pho- 

 tographer and the junior guide. It was during this walk, 

 and prior to the overhauling of our companions, that we 

 chanced to come upon a wood-chopper, who was engaged 

 in levelling the forest preparatory to clearing it for cultiva- 

 tion. He had previously been informed that we had left 

 the woods and were now homeward bound, carrying with 

 us a wagon-load of trophies. He, therefore, began to 

 question the captain in regard to our unsurpassed success 

 in hunting ; and while they were engaged in this conver- 

 sation I espied a meat-bird sitting on the top branches of 

 a tree about six rods distant from me. The sight of the 

 bird prompted me to raise my rifle and fire a shot, which 

 chanced to drop the bird to the ground. The wood- 

 chopper quickly rushed away with the instincts of a re- 

 triever, and soon returned with the dead bird in his hand, 

 which he promptly delivered to me. He instantly re- 

 marked, " I am not surprised that you have secured a 

 wagon-load of trophies after seeing you drop that small 

 bird at such a long distance." He was now evidently anx- 

 ious to see me make another trial of my skill with the rifle, 

 since he soon pointed out another bird of the same species 

 within the range of my gun. I had made a good shot, and 



