SPORTING SKETCHES 959 



our horse had managed to get into the ditch and the conveyance 

 had followed him. More unpleasant work in prospect, but pres- 

 ently we started off again after blessing a good many things and 

 people, and made for an hotel, said to be a little further on the 

 road. Down came the rain, making it, if possible, still more dim- 

 cult to travel. The roof of our carriage leaked, and we quite 

 expected the tide to rise over our feet. Splash, splash went the 

 horse through it all. Fortunately, we were all smokers, and our 

 pipes were a great comfort. So also were the pocket companions 

 duck shooters generally provide themselves with to keep out 

 the cold and wet. In about an hour we reached what had been a 

 cross-roads hotel, and found that it had now become a first-class 

 farm house. Observing no light in any of its windows, we hesi- 

 tated to call so early in the morning, but the discomfort caused 

 by our wet clothes overcame all scruples, and we knocked vigor- 

 ously on the front door. It was opened, rather unwillingly it 

 seemed to us, but it was no joke to be disturbed at such an hour. 

 We soon told our troubles to an apparition in a gray flannel 

 shirt surmounted by a toque rouge. Were told that the cabane 

 was still to be found in the old place about a mile or so down the 

 river side. We started off once more to find it, following the 

 shore, still without success ; nothing but the stack could we see. 

 The night was still dark and wet, and we returned to the farm 

 again, rapped up the weary farmer, who being a Frenchman soon 

 forgot himself and, with the genial hospitalitj 7 characteristic of 

 his race, bade us enter his house. While he gave our man in- 

 structions as to where to put up his horse we piled our baggage 

 on the one-time counter before the bar and commenced hanging 

 our wet clothes around the hall stoye and everywhere we could 

 find a peg. The fire was re-lit, our hamper opened and we par- 

 took of a later supper than we had taken for some years. Our 

 host would not join us, but waited politely and patiently till we 

 had finished our meal and then conducted us to a room well fur- 

 nished with every comfort and convenience. We were soon fast 

 asleep in spite of damp clothes. We rose at daylight and partook 

 of a light breakfast Our good host had kindly placed his boat at 

 onr disposal and told us of a good " blind " already made near by, 

 where we might expect some shooting. As we walked down the 

 marsh to the river side I got a shot at two " yellow legs " and 

 killed them both. We found the boat in good condition and 



18 



