226 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXIV. 



doubt if we shall get any other ' ven-ni-son' there the 

 night." " Indeed I am not fond of braxy," was my 

 answer ; " and a grouse or two we must get." But 

 we had first to eat our luncheon, having breakfasted 

 hastily at a very early hour, and we determined to 

 perform this ceremony at a spring about a mile 

 ahead of us ; and as I remembered having fre- 

 quently seen a pair or two of ducks about it in 

 frosty weather, when we drew near the place we 

 advanced with great care, keeping ourselves well 

 concealed till within twenty yards of the spot. 

 " Now, then, Donald, you look over the bank, and 

 see if any ducks are feeding on the grass about the 

 well. If there are, you shoot at them on the ground, 

 and I will take them flying." Donald wormed 

 himself on a little, regardless of filling his pockets 

 with snow, and having looked cautiously over, 

 beckoned to me to come nearer, which I did. 

 " There are six bonny grey dukes feeding about 

 the well. Sir ; three drakes and three dukes." 

 " Take care then, Donald, and get two or three of 

 them in a line before you fire." After waiting a 

 little with his gun pointed towards the place, Donald 

 fired one barrel, and then as they rose the other. 

 The latter killed none — " ut mos fuit." However, 

 as only four rose (two of which, both mallards, fell 

 to my two barrels), I presumed that he had done 



