TWO SPORTS; OB, OUT FOR A LARK. 237 



his pants in his boots, faded clothes, his hat old, gray and 

 misshapen, over his shoulders an army musket, sadly 

 out of proportion to the youthful hunter. The civil 

 salutations of the day are passed. The boy would 

 move on, but our friends will it otherwise, for, suspend- 

 ed from his back, they count eight mallards. At once 

 they resolve themselves into a committee of two, and 

 are fit subjects for " treason, strategy and spoils." 

 Each hastily runs his hand into his pockets, mentally 

 takes an inventory of his cash on hand, looks askance 

 at the other, silently winks and all is understood. 

 Having during dinner partaken liberally of " Bud- 

 weiser," they are extremely affectionate and loquacious. 

 " Young man," says Jim, " we are very glad to see you, 

 we are just taking a little lunch, preparatory to start- 

 ing out, won't you join us, and eat something ? " 



" Yes, yes, mine lieber freund," joins in Hans, " koom, 

 sitzen sie hier, und etwas zu essen haben." 



4fc For Heaven's sake," exclaims Jim anxiously, " don't 

 talk Dutch to the boy, or you will frighten him away ; 

 he don't understand you." 



The boy smiled and sat down, began slowly eating, 

 casting quizzical glances at his hosts, as if wondering 

 what next. 



" What nice ducks you have, and so large, perfect 

 beauties, you must be an excellent shot," said Jim. 



" 111 pet you he vas a dandy," chipped in Hans. 

 " You can dell it py the color of his eye. He looks vie 

 Shurman poys, like they look in Shurmany. Half you 

 efTer pen in Shurmany, young man ? No ? Then you 

 half n efTer lived; go there, und grow mit the gountry 

 up. Dot's the poss blace. I vish I vas dere now." 

 Then his sweet tenor voice started : " Das ist der 



