The Wild-Fowlers 33 



gantly destructive practice. I won't go. 

 Have a smoke ? " And Seth handed his 

 friend a Key West favorite and lighted 

 one himself. 



44 All you say may be true, Seth," 

 quoth the Doctor, " but you 'd best make 

 sure of it. You 've never been in a bat- 

 tery. Here 's your chance. The birds 

 are in the bay, the legal season is still on. 

 Doctor and I have engaged Captain 

 Grieb of Amityville for two days, and 

 the train goes at three o'clock to-morrow. 

 We '11 lunch early, say twelve o'clock. 

 The trip '11 do you good, and I promised 

 the Doctor you 'd join us. Think of two 

 days and two nights on that grand old 

 bay, boy! Think of it! We '11 make 

 this the last spring trip. We '11 go out 

 there especially to investigate matters, 

 get practical points on the details you 

 speak of; then, if you 're right, the Doc- 

 tor and I will give way to you. But, 

 since you 're talking without actual 

 knowledge you must listen to us. The 



3 



