The Wild-Fowlers 89 



bumped himself down upon a pile of nets 

 and old sail-cloth with the bottle of Ca- 

 nadian Club in one hand and his cigar- 

 case in the other. 



' Pleasure before business on outing 

 trips, boys. Now I says " here imita- 

 ting the twang of the Captain to the ex- 

 treme delight of Seth " let 's drink 

 before it gets too dark to measure ; I 'm 

 careful about my liquor/* 



" Careful not to be without it," said 

 Bradley, winking at the Captain. 



" Oh, you mind what you say! You 're 

 pretty near that water, and Seth and I 

 have longed for a good chance to push 

 you overboard. You 're no good in the 

 world, anyway. But, say, Doctor, truth 

 now, that was the best drive I 've had in 

 a year, but 't were mighty cold for this 

 time o' year in these parts regular De- 

 cember wind, as sharp as icicles. What 

 will it be to-morrow, Captain ? " 



" Cold an' clear fer two day at least," 

 quickly responded the old bayman ; 



