THE WILD PIGEON. 225 



out the woods, the smoke waft over the tree-tops, dead 

 or wounded birds drop to the earth, or with set wings 

 saU gently lowering through the scraggy trees. Five 

 o'clock, then 6 passed by, still no end to the flight — ^it 

 increased if anything; the pure air was contaminated by 

 the ever-present smoke, and the odor coming from the 

 flying birds, while the guns kept up an incessant crack- 

 ing. I had loaded and fired until my ammunition was 

 expended; friendship ceased at this time, and my com- 

 panions had "Just a few loads left," and I could not bor- 

 row any from them; so, gathering my birds and tying 

 them in a bunch, I stood my gun against a tree, and 

 silently gazed in astonishment and admiration at the 

 wonderful sight before and around me, for I intended 

 remaining until I saw the last of this caravan, or until 

 night shut it from view. The day drew speedily to a 

 close; the sun sank to rest in a bed of crimson glory; the 

 sky, brightened by the reflection of the sun, gradually 

 lost its coloring, and was of a leaden hue. Whip-poor-wills 

 flew screeching through the darkened sky, night-owls 

 hooted and flitted through the woods, yet the flight never 

 ceased; the mist arose in the valleys, the shades of night 

 fast fell over the earth; the faiat boom of distant guns 

 was heard before and behind us, then, nearer, the guns 

 themselves were to be seen; sheets of fire shot toward the 

 heavens, and belched forth here and there along the hill- 

 sides ; streaks and streams of flame suddenly and unexpect- 

 edly shot forth from hidden, darksome places. It was 

 now dark; the stars glittered in the sky, and twinkled 

 merrily at us. The birds could no longer be seen, except 

 in a faint dark streak as we looked over us and toward 

 the western sky, but the whistling of their wings, as they 

 winnowed their way along, could be plainly heard. 

 Nothing could be seen now, and, as I wended my way 

 homeward, I heard frequent reports, and ever and anon 



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