244 SPORTING SKETCHES. 



which the cabin stood I watched him out of sight. Returning to 

 the cabin, I sat by the fire, smoked one and then another pipe, 

 the time went slowly by. Two hours had passed and no sound 

 of my friend. I was now seriously anxious ; the moon had 

 dropped behind a dense cloud ; all was dark as Egypt. Was my 

 friend lost ? 



Three hours passed ; my anxiety was intense; standing out- 

 side, I was perished and hoarse with shouting, when I heard the 

 joyful sound of paddles breaking the ice. It appeared that the 

 water way was clear enough on going out, but on returning, the 

 ice had formed so quickly, it was with the greatest difficulty 

 they could force the small " dugout " through. Hence, the long 

 delay. 



The reader can easily understand how relieved I was on 

 hearing my friend's great hearty voice, and may be assured no 

 time was lost in brewing a good hot Scotch for the old hunter. 



The following morning, clear and bright, millions of crystals 

 hanging from the reeds, bowing them down in graceful curves, 

 glistening in the now risen sun. We glided through the 

 channel dropping an occasional black duck or blue bill. 



The westerly wind blew us with our "cache" out into the lake, 

 we were soon on the feeding ground ; decoys were placed, the 

 boatmen retired to the marsh, all was ready for the sport. 

 Flock after flock came up to us and we peppered away in lively 

 style. Unfortunately the high wind drove the white caps into 

 our boat and they immediately became solid ice. We were com- 

 pelled to give it up the water was well strewn with birds, our 

 signal to return was answered by the men, who collected the 

 ducks ; H taking the birds, he havingthe larger boat, I, the 

 decoys. Then came a most perilous journey to the marsh, 

 heavily laden as we were. Our men were capital hands at manag- 

 ging the canoes, but notwithstanding their care we took in a 

 little water ; the little, however, was sufficient to freeze me in 

 tight and fast to the boat. 



Arriving at a lighthouse, we were only too glad to put ashore. 

 After nicely arranging the birds on the bow, placing our finest 

 on the top, we hurried up the ladder to the comfortable room. 

 Next thing in order was a good warminx, both outside and in. 

 While making the water hot, I was moving round examining the 



