256 FEATHERED GAME 



just as soon as you can get there," says one of 

 these in a confidential tone, and off you go to 

 get gun and shells ready for a trip down the 

 bay. As fast as your horse can take you you 

 go to your friend's home by the sea. It is a 

 long six miles through the deep and clinging 

 mud — a longer six miles to-day than ever, you 

 think — but you arrive at last, your poor nag 

 steaming from his jog. Your friend is impa- 

 tiently waiting, pacing his porch, spyglass in 

 hand, his attention divided between yourself 

 and that long black line a mile-and-a-half away 

 upon the water. He evidently expected you. 

 '^Huh! Here, are you! How long does it take 

 that plug of yours to travel six miles of good 

 roads? I thought you were never coming!" 

 Even as he speaks and, grinning welcome, 

 grasps your hand, with his other paw, glass and 

 all, he points away to where the unsuspecting 

 birds are riding at ease. You seize the 'scope 

 the while he complains at such delay, to feast 

 your eyes upon that ravishing sight. A dozen 

 at least! Yes, twenty big ''honkers" resting 

 and pruning their feathers in a security which 

 you intend shall be brief. Your horse is soon 

 cared for, then, — ' ' Come, now, how long are you 



