136 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 
“* How is that?” I asked. 
‘¢ It’s plain enough, I’m sure. You know the big fish 
eat the little fish; the osprey preys on all, if it gets the 
chance; while that bully, the eagle, which has no merit 
except strength, takes them away from the bird which 
catches them. Talk of justice in this world! In my 
opinion the longest pole gets the persimmons—in other 
words that might makes right with the majority of men, 
and with every animal. People talk about fair play, but 
they never show it if it is to their advantage not to do 
80.” 
«‘There are some exceptions,” I replied. 
““Yes, but such men are sure to be beaten by others 
who are more unscrupulous. Those two aérial dramas 
which we have just witnessed fairly represent human na- 
ture, while the doctor is the hero of one of the pieces, 
for he could have shot both duck and hawk if he wished, 
and I believe he would, too, if he had wanted the duck 
for dinner.” : 
Not being in a mood for argument just then, I allowed 
him to philosophize to his heart’s content until night 
came on, and then returned to the tent, where our plans 
were laid for the work of the coming day. We were to 
shoot and fish, taking everything edible that we came 
across, but only in sufficient quantities to liberally supply 
our wants, as we did not wish to wantonly destroy any- 
thing having the semblance of life. When everything 
was understood, I went out to take a last look at the 
lake, and found it so enchantingly attractive that I gazed 
long and earnestly at it. The moon being at the full, her 
soft rays illuminated every object quite distinctly, and 
rippled and played in the water in such a manner as to 
recall visions of fairy-land. The silence was so great as 
to seem droning, but the inmates of the forest and moun- 
tains obtained their voices after awhile, and rent the 
night air with their cries. The weird calls of the loons 
