182 SPOTTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



" It is by no means certain." 



" I have a friend here who has an excellent remedy which 

 he will give you." 



" I will take a future opportunity of profiting by his 

 kindness." 



" Do tell me why you are so anxious to catch a cold." 



" I have no time at present, I do not wish to lose my 

 day's sport. I will explain my meaning to you this evening, 

 after the chasse is over. I see some of your friends are 

 following the ducks on the other side. I shall take up my 

 post, and you will soon hear something of me." 



"And your dog?" 



" I have not got one. A dog is of no more use than a 

 boat." 



" If you wound a bird T 



" I can swim. Good sport, gentlemen." 



He set off at full speed on the bank of the lake, the frozen 

 particles of mud and water on his body shone like a mirror; 

 but we soon lost sight of him ; he had again taken up his post 

 in the water, nearly up to his chin. 



Our day's shooting continued without any other remarkable 

 adventure, and in the evening we returned to the keeper's 

 lodge with a few snipes, two widgeons, and a wild duck. 



" Do you know an eccentric individual who shoots stark 

 naked in this marsh V said we to Germain, the keeper. 



" Ah ! you have discovered him amongst the reeds," ex- 

 claimed the garde. "Well, it is not a very easy job, for he 

 hides himself like a winged duck." 



" If we had not seen it, we could never have believed 

 that a man was capable of bearing so much cold." 



" True ; I would not attempt it for all the ducks in the 

 lake." 



" What countryman is he !" 



" He comes from Versailles, and is one of the choir of the 



