Spotting Notes in the Far East. 35 



It happened thuswise : I had got out of my bearings, after a 

 most exciting chase, up a branch creek, after a wounded goose ; 

 which goose I eventually collared by the neck, about twenty yards 

 from the shore, getting out of my depth and going overhead at 

 the same instant. However master goose acted well as a life buoy, 

 and notwithstanding that I had my 12 bore in my hand, and my 

 cap full of cartridges ; by the help of striking out with my legs, 

 he flapped us both into shallow water, where he was promptly ex- 

 ecuted. I then looked round for the way back ; but it was only 

 to find that I was completely lost. 



I had had a long day, having left the ship at 3 a.m., and had 

 besides a heavy bag ; I had also to find my last waiting place, 

 where my 8 bore had been left, when I commenced my goose 

 pursuit ; and then everything had to be " hugged " down to the 

 boat : which, for aught I knew, might have been anywhere. 



However night was drawing on apace, and there was no time to 

 lose ; so I determined on making, as I thought, a short cut, 

 through a" barrier of enormous reeds, but after struggling and 

 pushing through them for some time it was only to find matters 

 worse. I blundered on and on, face and hands covered with mos- 

 quitoes, but I was far too anxious and weary, to notice even their 

 painful and malicious bites. I would occasionally stop to listen, 

 and shout as loud as my parched throat would allow ; but there was 

 no answering call, and nothing to be heard, but the weird croaking 



