158 NARRATIVES. 



tall reeds, I saw at a distance something unusual on the top 

 of a muskrat house. As it was lying flat, almost hidden from 

 view, I at first sight took it to be an otter, as we had killed 

 one some time previous near the same place. As usual at 

 tlie sight of game, my rifle Avas quick as thought brought to 

 bear, and away sped the bullet, and over tumbled a large wild 

 goose, making a gr^eat splashing as she fell into the water. 

 On examination I found she had a nest of seven eggs, all 

 fresh. The goose weighed fourteen pounds and a half. The 

 same day I found another nest with several eggs, and took 

 them to a farmer who was anxious to get them to hatch " at 

 the halves." He placed the eggs under a hen ; but a few 

 days before they were ready to hatch, my ever-present ene- 

 my, the skunk, ate up hen, eggs, and all, to the great sorrow 

 and indignation of the farmer. He said the young geese 

 would have been worth five dollars a pair. 



The weather still continued dry, and as we did not find 

 game very plenty in the rivers, we concluded to wind up the 

 trapping business, after having spent about six weeks in steady 

 employment. We now collected our furs, and found we had 

 caught seven hundred muskrats, sixty minks, a number of 

 raccoons, and one otter ; for which we found a ready market 

 at good prices. Thus ended my first, and most interesting 

 trapping campaign. 



