66 THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



i 



distinct, and the shadowy uncertainty of each bird's 

 outline was becoming defined ; in a few seconds 

 more they would have been within range, and I 

 was drawing my limbs together so as to be able 

 to rise rapidly and fire, when, pheugh ! the whole 

 skein turned their heads heavenwards and went with 

 just such rapidity as these birds alone know how to 

 exhibit. I fired both barrels in quick succession ; 

 the shot pattered most admirably off their close 

 plumage, but did no more, for never a goose came 

 down. 



What alarmed these geese must have been the 

 white on my pointer, for my Zulu knew his busi- 

 ness too well to have moved even the expression 

 of his sooty physiognomy at such an important crisis. 



In gathering my ducks, my boy had just such 

 an adventure as frequently occurs in South Africa 

 and adds spice to its field sports. An eagle owl, I 

 believe a Strix lactea, made a swoop at one of the 

 teal as my lad was about to lift it, and carried it 

 off. That bird, like the lost salmon of the fisher- 

 man, was bewailed the greater part of the road 

 home, as it was considered by him the best of the 

 lot. How similar are Christians to Pagans ; as far 



