THE GOBBLERS EXTEAPPED. 253 



had done such wonders into his bullet-pouch, and 

 grasping his rifle, prepared to fire —kneeling on one 

 knee, and resting his elbow on the other. 



As he had told me, it was indeed a race between the 

 noble birds. All their native caution seemed thrown 

 aside, and they came running with eager haste till they 

 were not more than thirty paces from the log that 

 sheltered us. Then, not seeing the expected hen, they 

 paused, as though to discover her whereabouts. They 

 brushed their wings along the ground, and extended 

 their fans ; the skins of their necks and heads assumed 

 as many tints as a rainbow or soap-bubble, as they 

 experienced alternately the passions of love and anger. 

 In loud notes they defied each other, and sought to 

 obtain a response of admiration from the hen, who, 

 they felt certain, was hidden in the wood close by, 

 doubtless looking with admiring eyes on their splendid 

 plumage and gallant behaviour. 



Suddenly was heard the sharp crack of a rifle, and 

 the woods around rang in a thousand echoing circles, 

 while a light cloud of white smoke floated grentlv up- 

 wards, seeming at length to become entangled in the 

 branches of the trees overhead. 



One splendid bird lay upon the mossy ground, his 

 head cleft by the unerring bullet ; while the rival, 

 after standing one half second in seeming bewilderment, 

 made a movement as though to take flight. But even 

 that slight hesitation was sufficient to enable me to 



