710 Field Sports in Minnesota. 



into full view, and I offer them the spectacle of the " city hunter," as 

 they are pleased to style me, running away from a crane ! The rest 

 of the scene must be imagined. I do not attempt a settlement with 

 the tormenters, but after finishing my enemy with a vengeful charge 

 at close range, return to my blind, where I have the satisfaction of 

 knocking over three more cranes before the summons to breakfast 

 comes booming over the stubble. 



My companions hang up in Bill's cool cellar thirty-one mal- 

 lards, mostly green- heads. My adventure with the crane is freely 

 discussed over juicy crane-steak sliced from the breast, which, to- 

 gether with good coffee and some of Mrs. Wilcox's best griddle- 

 cakes smothered in cream and white sugar, constituted a breakfast 

 heartily enjoyed by all. After allowing me to be well teased, our 

 host puts a somewhat more serious color upon the matter by assur- 

 ing us that it was rather a dangerous proceeding to face a wounded 

 crane, which, like the heron, always strikes for the eye. Once, to 

 his knowledge, the bill penetrated through the eye of an Indian, pro- 

 ducing instant death. 



Twenty-eight miles or more lie between us and Kandiyohi, 

 where we intend camping, and there is no alternative but instant 

 departure after breakfast. By nine o'clock we are waving our 

 adieus to the Wilcox family, whose worthy head accompanies us 

 as driver, friend, and companion. Our outfit, none of the smallest, 

 is snugly stowed away. The day is exceedingly pleasant, and the 

 entire party is in the very best of spirits. The rolling prairie road 

 offers no hinderance, and we jog on at a fair pace. The neat appear- 

 ance of the farm-houses and their immediate surroundings shows 

 plainly the thrift of the owners, who are mostly Swedes or Norwe- 

 gians. A likely looking prairie bordering a stubble causes us to tie 

 up the duck retrievers, Turk and Prince, and cast off Royal Fan and 

 two setters ; this is done with the hope of finding a brood of grouse, 

 or (as they are called in this State) prairie-chickens. 



Fan led off at a round pace and quartered her ground 

 thoroughly, showing beautiful style and action with thorough 



training. B , her proud owner, from his seat in the wagon, 



controlled her movements by the "call" and by the motion of the 

 hand. I could not help wishing that Macdona might see her now, 

 and behold in her superb action and style a confirmation of his 



