VIRGIXLVN DEER. 



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by three broad, the banks frmged with rushes, 

 thickly frequented by herons, bitterns, grebes, water- 

 hens, pochards, geese and ducks of every kind, 

 including the famous canvas-hack, — the monarch of 

 the web-footed denizens of the States. Altogether, 

 Crow's Nest was one of the best " shooting boxes " 

 I saw in the States. 



A boat was waiting for us at the head of the 

 creek, about a gun-shot from the farm. David was 

 there, holding on to the shore, and waiting for us. 

 As soon as we embarked, ]\Ir. Eustis took the helm, 

 and gave the word to push off. In a short time, 

 freeing ourselves from the rushes and the water- 

 lilies, we reached the open water, and rowed vigor- 

 ously northwards. 



As I stated at the beginning of this story, it was 

 a fine autumn day, the sun shone brightly in the 

 sky, and the water-birds w^ere sporting before us 

 when we arrived at the Irishman's little house. We 

 had bagged about twenty head, of sorts, which 

 an excellent spaniel had retrieved for us in first- 

 rate style. Pat Donoghue (or, as he was commonly 

 called, Pat), kept this little place, which was a house 

 of call for the quicksilver miners of the neighbour- 

 hood, and he had the reputation for being the best 

 sportsman in the country. 



" Good day to Mr. Eustis and his friends," cried 

 he, tugging at his fox-skin cap. " Ye're jist in 

 time, gentlemen. I've sighted three herds of 



