IN THE LAND OF THE GREAT SPIRIT 123 



stopping to notice that the camp was on my left 



hand, I struck into the reeds. As I went on I broke 



off and bent down a reed here and there, as a clue for 



the journey back. Having shot as many ducks as I 



wanted, I turned to go home, for a flush across the 



sky told of sunset. At that moment I heard some 



way off what I believed to be the call of the 



summer-duck."^ I was very anxious to get this bird — x • 



for my collection, so I crept off in the direction of the ooZU^sUr 



sound. But sound travels a long way over water on 



a still evening, and it was some time before, having 



waded in water that was gradually getting deeper, 



a beautiful drake rose in front. I fired, and the bird 



fell. But though it lay still for a moment, it only 



had a broken wing, and presently it dived. And now 



I did a very foolish thing. Anxious to have the bird 



undamaged for mounting, and thinking that in that 



shallow water I could sooner or later run it down, I 



started in pursuit. 



A stern chase is a long chase, especially after a 

 crippled duck. He would dive ten yards or so, and 

 I could trace him fairly well. Sometimes I was so 

 close I almost grabbed him, but not quite, and then 

 he would gain on me, reappearing disappointingly some 



* Aix sponsa. 



