SNIPE SHOOTING. 59 



Considerable time was consumed in making a 

 passage, as the river was filled with floating ice, 

 and is here, at least, twice its width at Philadel- 

 phia ; but thanks to the skill and sinewy arms 

 of the boatmen this was at last effected, without 

 shipping more water than was agreeable, except 

 to the dogs, who, however, bore the infliction with 

 exemplary patience. 



Old Pierson, who had been watching the boat 

 with a glass from the balcony, met us on the pier, 

 in spite of his rheumatic limp, and in a few mo- 

 ments we were busily engaged in shifting in our 

 old comfortable room, facing the river. 



A lunch was ready for us when we descended 

 in sporting trim ; but, although an hour and a 

 half amongst the ice had sharpened our appe- 

 tites, we paid but brief attention to the repast, 

 and under the auspices of our good-natured host 

 speedily set off, directing our course down to a 

 well-known meadow back of the first cove below 

 the pier. 



The day was all we could ask ; the sun about 

 midway in his course ; the sky blue and clear, 

 with streaks of haze which foretold a change 

 slowly spreading in the north-east ; but feeling 

 tolerably sure of a half day's sport on the twenty- 

 first day of February, we blessed our auspicious 

 stars and strode rapidly on. 



