SUITABLE COSTUME. 267 



prairie to kill duck. For some time previously all the wa- 

 ter that was stagnant, or had but slight current, had been 

 frozen, and there being in consequence no feeding-ground 

 for the broad-bills, they had taken their departure for more 

 hospitable regions. My want of success a few days before 

 caused me to doubt if better results could be obtained on 

 this occasion, but being aware that H was better post- 

 ed on these matters than any man in the vicinity, I shoul- 

 dered my ten-bore, straddled my Indian pony, and started 

 for what he considered the most appropriate place for do- 

 ing havoc. On reaching the confines of the prairie, we 

 found that duck had come in, and in myriads. In no di- 

 rection could we gaze without seeing flights in those strange 

 mathematical figures which they always assume when on 

 the wing. We at once held a council of war, and deter- 

 mined to leave our steeds (having first spread a horse-blank- 

 et on each to protect them from the bitter blast ; for every 

 true votary of Diana is humane, though the virgin goddess 

 herself displayed but little of this virtue to the unfortunate 

 Actaaon), and after striking the wet land, to separate, one 

 to take the right side and the other the left. My clothes, 

 through chance, were admirably suited for our work, being 

 composed of that common colored velveteen which so much 

 resembles withered grass, while H 's were dark and con- 

 spicuous; without doubt, his inattention to color being 

 caused by the lightness of his pocket and inability to pro- 

 cure more suitable raiment. After four hours' shooting, 

 on comparing results, my proceeds were more than double 

 his, while two wild geese the most wary of all game were 

 among my victims, he having failed to get a shot at this, 

 noble quarry. I was at a loss to account for this superior 

 fortune, and might have remained long without satisfactory 

 reasons, but my comrade's experience taught him that the 

 difference of color in our costume was the cause. 



