Picked from tbe Prairie Province 251 



something of the second wing, which would mean, 

 roughly speaking, a mark as large as one's hand 

 instead of the size of a dollar. It is less cruel, too, 

 for the simple reason that the easier the chances, 

 the greater the probability of exact shooting, which 

 means instantaneous and painless death. 



The session was closed by a mighty snort and the 

 clatter of Thompson's pipe upon the floor. He had 

 dozed but ten seconds, but, as he said, he knew the 

 sign. " Last man dowses the glim," he yawned ; 

 " upper four for yours." And in very few minutes 

 a sound not unlike distant surf told that two big 

 fellows had got away to a remarkably even start. I 

 climbed up and stretched in luxurious ease in the 

 folds of a huge gray blanket which covered a sure- 

 enough hair mattress. Not in the least sleepy, I lay 

 with closed eyes studying mental pictures of broad 

 wetlands, above which springy, bent-winged sprites 

 wove mazy problems for up-wind shooters to unravel. 

 I had just about made up my mind to doze off when 

 something hauled at the blanket and a voice roared, 

 " Tumble down, you snoring lubber ! " Very much 

 astonished, but gloriously rested, I followed direc- 

 tions, which led out into a dim gray world and 

 finally to a tin washdish. Half an hour later we 

 moved to the waterside, where the punters were 

 waiting. " Off you go, and good luck to you. Be 

 careful ; there's no bottom anywhere in the marsh," 

 said Thompson, and in a moment my canoe slid 

 into open water and headed north. As it rounded 

 the first bend of the channel-like open, the battleship 

 steamed straight into the reeds, while the second 

 canoe started south. 



