DUCK-SHOOTING. 275 



a snow-storm becoming momentarily more marked, we 

 mutually determined to desist, well satisfied with our 

 night's recreation. 



It took time and trouble satisfactorily and securely 

 to sling our booty ; and if any of our friends could have 

 seen our noble selves and nags strung around with the 

 fruit of our labour, they could not have suppressed a 

 smile. 



While resting for a day or two at MacComb's, Grand 

 Prairie, Northern Illinois, when on a tour, cattle-purchas- 

 ing, at the commencement of winter, one of the hands, on 

 returning to dinner, informed me that both ducks and 

 geese were arriving in immense numbers. Soon my No. 10 

 gun was brought out, and with seven pounds of shot and 

 my large powder-flask full, I started in the direction 

 indicated. The weather since morning had undergone a 

 complete change ; for instead of a damp, mild atmosphere, 

 snow was falling in large but few flakes, with the thermo- 

 meter below freezing-point. 



On reaching the sloughs I found birds abundant, but 

 too wary for great success ; so, after firing a few long 

 shots with indifferent success, I determined to change my 

 beat. I had remarked the day before a field of a i'ew acres 

 of indifferent Indian corn which had not yet been gathered, 

 and which was excessively wet and soft from the dampness 

 of the soil ; thither I determined to turn my footsteps, 

 and well it was I did so, for a finer afternoon's sport I 

 have seldom enjoyed. Before I got within a quarter of a 

 mile of my destination, I could see duck in numerous large 

 flights hovering over the place in question, giving hopes of 



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