DUCK SHOOTING. 265 



moment they will re-settle, doubtlessly feeling security 

 in their numbers. 



Tarry a little longer, friend, it may be too dark to 

 shoot, but a better sight than all is yet before you ; be 

 not impatient don't you hear that strange voice? 

 The geese are coming ay, and brant, too can't you 

 hear their noisy chattering ? Move not an inch, these 

 fellows have two eyes, equal in excellence to the whole 

 hundred of Argus' placed together. Soon a dark line 

 is seen against the sky advancing directly to us. 

 Honk ! honk ! honk ! comes from its different sec- 

 tions, doubtlessly inquiries from the leader as to the 

 propriety of calling a halt. Keep close stir not, nor 

 think of shooting, till they are over you. You can- 

 not, perhaps, see them fall, but the splash they will 

 make tells the tale. Another and another regiment 

 of these worthies came in, till perfect Erebus enclosed 

 us, and further shooting became impossible. Our dogs 

 had been busy gathering the slain, and a noble bag 

 we had. The thermometer continuing to fall, and the 

 appearance of a snow-storm becoming momentarily 

 more marked, we mutually determined to desist, well 

 satisfied with our night's recreation. 



It took time and trouble satisfactorily and securely 

 to sling our booty : and if any of our friends could 

 have seen our noble selves and nags strung around 

 with the fruit of our labour, they could not have sup- 

 pressed a smile. 



While resting for a day or two at MacComb's, 

 Grand Prairie, Northern Illinois, when on a tour, 

 cattle -purchasing, at the commencement of winter, one 

 of the hands, on returning to dinner, informed me 

 that both ducks and geese were arriving in immense 



