Field Sports in Minnesota 



717 



A COLD MORNING. 



it is nearly five o clock and dawn is at hand. In a few minutes we 

 shall be able to discern objects overhead, and by exercising skill and 

 judgment, or "bull-head luck," as an old veteran of the pass calls it, 

 a little execution may be done. 



I now proceed to take off my gloves and my " gum coat," which 

 had been donned for warmth, and to fill the pockets of my " Hola- 

 bird" with shells, which are in this instance loaded with five drams 

 of Dupont's ducking powder, and one and a quarter ounces of 

 No. 6 shot, for the early flight. Shells loaded with Nos. 4 and 5 

 ■hot an- used later in the day, when the ducks begin to "climb" 

 as they cross. The icy-cold gun-barrels strike a chill to my 

 bare hands, but my pulse has gained a number of beats in the 

 last few minutes, a pleasant thrill of excitement pervades me, and I 

 am fast- warming up to the work. Standing in a regular skirmish 

 line, about thirty yards apart, in the position of "ready," with guns 

 in hand, and both the hammers raised, we strain our eyes to catch a 

 glimpse of the game that is streaming over, but the veil of darkness 



rents our teeing. Who will draw tir^t blood ? More than once 

 have our guns been quickly thrown to our faces and our fingers 



ed on the triggers, but none of us has acquired the art of shoot- 

 ing "by ear," and slowly and reluctantly we lower them again. But 



