Canvas -Back and Terrapin. 731 



fishing-rods, nets, and tackle of every description ; while around the 

 walls were gun-racks, clothing, and hunting paraphernalia in profu- 

 sion. At seven o'clock, a substantial and well-cooked dinner or sup- 

 per was served in the adjoining kitchen, to which our farmer sat 

 down with us. The conversation related chiefly to some recent inci- 

 dents of coon-hunting, and a discussion as to the probable direction 

 of the wind in the morning. Apprehensions of a north-west wind 

 were expressed, but the general idea was that it would blow up from 

 the south-west with snow or rain, in which case the ducks would be 

 plentiful. After half an hour spent in selecting guns, filling cartridge- 

 - and satchels, and in other preparations, we turned in at nine 

 o'clock, and, although the hour was somewhat unusual to me, I slept 

 soundly. At three o'clock, our farmer came in and called us and lit 

 the lamp. Breakfast — beefsteak, rashers of bacon, eggs, and coffee 

 — was already sputtering and crackling in the kitchen. A hasty 

 dowse of water with an eighth of an inch of ice on its surface, and 

 a liberal nip" of whisky. — the latter insisted upon for sanitary 

 reasons of obscure origin but evidently great weight, — and we sat 

 down. Either there was something in the air or the spirits were at 

 the bottom of it, but at any rate the heavy supper of the previous 

 evening seemed entirely forgotten, and the quantity of breakfast 

 consumed was amazing. We were out in the sharp, frosty air and 



KoWINC DOWN TO TIIK HI IM». 4.30 A. M. 



lit moonlight at a quarter to four o'clock, excellently fortified 

 to meet the demands of the day and the rigor of the weather. 



It was but a few yards from the house to the water, and WC bad 

 a row of a mile and a half to the "blind," We got into a good, 

 steady, flat-bottomed boat, in which two dogs, whom no one had 



