DUCK-SHOOTING. 241 



ped; the island is dotted with them — the best ia 

 the country — and as it was necessary to be up at 

 two o'clock in the morning in order to follow down 

 the creek and row out to the feeding grounds, we 

 retired early. Strict injunctions were left with the 

 hostler to wake us at the appointed hour ; but as 

 there was a grand ball going on in the hall adjoin- 

 ing the hotel, his recollection was not to be depended 

 upon. 



" The beds were good ; but, either disturbed by 

 di-eams of ducks or sounds of revelry, my sleep was 

 fitful. I was at last awakened by a loud noise, which 

 I took to be some one knocking at the door, and 

 sleepily rising, saw a light shining through the crack 

 as it stood ajai-. I woke my companion, who re- 

 sponded with an unwilling grunt, and thinking the 

 hostler had left the candle for our accommodation, 

 I stepped out to get it. 



"The night was cold, my dress was light and airy, 

 the distant sounds of expiring revelry were still 

 faintly audible, and I hastened to get the light that 

 I might hurry on warmer clothes. To my surprise, 

 on opening the door, the candle appeared to be some 

 yards oif on the floor, in the middle of what seemed 

 to be an adjoining room. My eyes, dazzled by the 

 sudden change from total darkness, saw little as I 

 stumbled forward; but when I turned, light in 

 hand, to regain my room, I came suddenly upon a 

 bed, and stopped as though shot. 



" Gentlemen, a bed is nothing unusual or surpris- 

 ing in a country tavern, but there is sometimes a 

 11 



