OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 



275 



was quickly lost to sight ; although within five minutes he 

 reported progress by firing his shot-gun, and instantly 

 shouted, " I have him this time !" while a few minutes later 

 he returned to the road holding up for our inspection a 

 large cock bird which he had killed at the first shot, while 

 the bird was quietly settling on the branch of a small ever- 

 green-tree. 



The clouds have begun to disappear, the bright rays 

 of sunshine are now lighting up our pathway, while the 

 gentle zephyrs are moving the foliage of the forest-trees. 

 The prospects of a fine day's sport are brightening at this 

 moment. "Jim" exclaims, "We will have a good day of it 

 yet !" while at the same time a partridge rises at the road- 

 side, — an event which is announced to us by the barking 

 of the cocker-spaniel. This dog had taken his position at 

 the foot of a small tree, the branches of which even over- 

 hung the road-way, and here continued to bark lustily, 

 thus keeping the attention of the bird until the lad sent 

 up his compliments, which she promptly acknowledged by 

 tumbling to the ground. 



The killing of this bird gave rise to a highly ludicrous 

 scene, which I fully appreciated at the time, and which I 

 can never readily forget. "Jim" had previously told me 

 that the old cocker-spaniel had a very bad habit, and would 

 " mouth" the birds whenever he could get hold of them, while 

 he entirely disregarded the order to *' bring dead bird." 

 The owner of this dog had, likewise, informed me that the 

 animal had never received any training, but naturally 

 hunted very well and was a good " treer." The instant 

 the lad fired at this bird "Jim" sprang into the woods with 



