DUCK-SHOOTING. 265 



" Well, which way shall we go ? " 



The effrontery of the question fairly took him 

 aback, and, pausing in apparent irresolution as to 

 whether he was not in danger of being caught at 

 last, he seemed for a moment half inclined to run 

 for it. Incoherently he commenced his usual re- 

 sponse about not giving advice ; paused, and then, 

 in a sadly reproachful tone, remonstrated as fol- 

 lows : 



" You know if I were to give advice to gentle- 

 men, and they were to have bad luck, they would 

 blame me ; and how can I know all the time where 

 the ducks are flying ? " 



" But, Henry, as we are going together, I must 

 certainly be told where the place is to be." 



This appeared to surprise him ; for, after a mo- 

 ment's deliberation, he jumped into his boat, and, 

 seizing his paddle, said, "I am going to Grassy 

 Point," and made off as fast as he could. 



" Well, Henry, I suppose I shall have to go with 

 you, instead of you with me; but the difference is 

 not very great." 



He seemed confused, and in doubt whether he 

 had not compromised himself, and paddled with 

 such speed that I could scarcely keep up with him. 

 Seated with his face towards the bow of the boat, 

 his guns lying ready for instant use in front of him, 

 he plied his double paddle — that is to say, a long 

 paddle with a blade at both ends, which are dipped 

 alternately — with a vigor that would have distanced, 

 for a short stretch, the most expert i-ower. Like 

 12 



