148 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



your back ! " And the speaker took off his slouched hat, and 

 rubbed his curly hair and shiny face with his handkerchief till it 

 was all a-glow. 



* How many ducks, Miss Jackson ? " 



 Oh ! ten for me, I believe ; but they are beauties. Paddle up 

 closer, boys, and let us see." 



" Hulloah ! where did you get all those 1 Great is Diana, but 

 that is a pretty sight ! " exclaimed the Doctor, leaning over to look 

 at our ducks, that were neatly piled up on one of the seats, with 

 their breasts up, and their heads hanging one way. 



" These are out of the flock we saw come over to-day." 



"I thought so; they just got up here, didn't they? It was a 

 noble flock, blue- wings, all of them, not a green- wing among them." 



" Oh ! there are your ducks. Why, you only have ten alto- 

 gether. Where are those you shot, Doctor ? " 



" Oh ! I didn't care to shoot. Miss Lou, here, is a pupil of mine, 

 and I like to let her try." 



A suppressed nasal explosion from one of the boys in the 

 Doctor's canoe informed me, if I had needed the information, that 

 the Doctor was not a very true hand with the ducks, and that the 

 lady was doing all the work. 



" Well, there is the Palm Tree Island, I presume, not a great 

 way ahead. Is it time for lunch ? " 



" Yes, I think so," said Miss Jackson, " if appetite is any test." 



"Try some cold tea," said I, extending the bottle of that 

 refreshing hunter's beverage. 



" Ah ! " said she, after a long drink, " that is a spring in the 

 desert." 



"Let me try a little of that spring in the desert," said the 

 Doctor. 



" Not till you tell me one thing," said I, getting possession of 

 my bottle. " How many shots have you missed ? " 



" Will you give me the tea, then ? " 



"Yes." 



" Ten ! Give us the tea." 



" Ha ! ha ! you are looking at Miss Jackson when you should 

 be at the ducks." 



