180 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. ' 



CHAPTEK XIII. 



WILD FOWL SHOOTING NEAR THE BOIS DE LA TRAPPE THE CURfi OP 

 FRIAIZE. 



BY the kind permission of M. de Girardin, and in company 

 with a celebrated Colonel of Cuirassiers, during the latter part 

 of the reign of Charles X. I frequently formed one of a shoot- 

 ing party at a lake, or rather large swamp, near the Bois de 

 la Trappe, about four leagues beyond Versailles, and adjoin- 

 ing the chasse royale. A decoy being situated in the 

 vicinity, - we always found plenty of wild duck, teal, and 

 widgeon, as well as snipes and waterfowl of various kinds. 

 Upon one occasion, and during a frost, several of us, almost 

 benumbed with cold, were crouching in a boat amongst the 

 reeds, and awaiting the appearance of some ducks which 

 we expected our companions would frighten towards us from 

 the opposite side of the lake, when suddenly we heard a 

 human voice issue from the rushes, not many yards from us. 



" Take care, for God's sake ! Don't shoot this way. I am 

 not a duck." 



" Then what on earth are you 1 ?" 



" A brother sportsman, & laffut, like yourselves." 



" I see no boat." 



" I should think not. A boat is only fit to frighten the 

 wildducks." 



" You are in the water, then?" 



" Yes, gentlemen, up to my neck. If you will only imitate 

 niy example you would be certain to have excellent sport." 



" Thank you for the advice !" 



