62 GUN, ROD, AND SADDLE. 



morning, situated among the withered leaves of a 

 persimmon bush, on the edge of an interminable 

 slough, in the center of one of the western prairies. 

 In every direction that you cast your eyes, ducks will 

 be seen, "flock upon flock, while single birds, like an 

 army of skirmishers, dart here, there, and every- 

 where. Having arranged your shot, powder, caps, 

 and loading- stick, as most convenient that is, pro- 

 vided you shoot with the muzzle-loader, and I am 

 still old-fashioned enough to believe it the hardest 

 hitter foi every moment is of value, look out ; you 

 will not be kept long waiting ere such work com- 

 mences as you seldom or never previously enjoyed. 

 Your situation, half up to your knees in slush and 

 water, may not be conducive to health, but all the 

 inconvenience is more than overbalanced by the ex- 

 citement of the moment ; and what will not a man 

 endure, if possessed with true sporting proclivities, to 

 gratify his passion, and does he not consider himself 

 more than rewarded by the possession of a heavy 

 bag, alike evidence of his skill and hardihood. 



On the afternoon of November , I started for 



my blind ; the weather was such as clearly foretold 

 the sport to be anticipated. My hardy mustang 

 soon brought me to the scene of operations, and, 



