272 PBAIKIE AND FOBEST. 



most appropriate place for doing havoc, On reaching the 

 confines of the prairie, we found that duck had come in, 

 and in myriads. In no direction could we gaze without 

 seeing flights in those strange mathematical figures which 

 they always assume when on the wing. We at once held 

 a council of war, and determined to leave our steeds (having 

 first spread a horse-blanket on each to protect them from 

 the bitter blast ; for every true votary of Diana is humane, 

 though the virgin goddess herself displayed but little of 

 this virtue to the unfortunate Actaeon), and after striking 

 the wet land, to separate, one to take the right side and the 

 other the left. My clothes, through chance, were admir- 

 ably suited for our work, being composed of that common 

 coloured velveteen which so much resembles withered grass, 



while H 's were dark and conspicuous ; without doubt, 



his inattention to colour being caused by the lightness of 

 his pocket and inability to procure more suitable raiment. 

 After four hours' shooting, on comparing results, my pro- 

 ceeds were more than double his, while two wild geese, the 

 most wary of all game, were among my victims, he having 

 failed to get a shot at this noble quarry. I was at a loss 

 to account for this superior fortune, and might have 

 remained long without satisfactory reasons, but my 

 comrade's experience taught him that the difference of 

 colour in our costume was the cause. 



But to return to our work. As soon as we were at our 

 stands, we divested ourselves of shot-pouches and powder- 

 horns, hanging them on the bushes that we might the 

 easier use them when required for, once the game com- 

 mences to arrive, every moment is of value. Before we 



