SUITABLE COSTUME. 267 
prairie to kill duck. .For some time previously all the wa- 
ter that was stagnant, or had but slight current, had been 
frozen, and there being in consequence no feeding-ground 
for the broad-bills, they had taken their departure for more 
hospitable regions. My want of success a few days before 
caused me to doubt if better results could be obtained on 
this occasion, but being aware that H was better post- 
ed on these matters than any man in the vicinity, I shoul- 
dered my ten-bore, straddled my Indian pony, and started: 
for what he considered the most appropriate place for do- 
ing. havoc. On reaching the confines of the prairie, we 
found that duck had come in, and in myriads. In no di- 
rection could we gaze without seeing flights in those strange 
mathematical figures which they always-assume when on 
the wing. We at once held a council of war, and deter- 
mined to leave our steeds (having first spread a horse-blank- 
et on each to protect them from the bitter blast; for every 
true votary of Diana is humane, though the virgin goddess 
herself displayed but little of this virtue to the unfortunate 
Actzon), and after striking the wet land, to separate, one 
to take the right side and the other the left. My clothes, 
through chance, were admirably suited for our work, being | 
composed of that common colored velveteen which so much 
resembles withered grass, while H ’s were dark and con- 
spicuous; without doubt, his inattention to color being 
caused by the lightness of his pocket and inability to pro- 
cure more suitable raiment. After four hours’ shooting, 
on comparing results, my proceeds were more than double 
his, while two wild geese—the most wary of all game—were 
among my victims, he having failed to get a shot at this 
noble quarry. I was at a loss to account for this superior 
fortune, and might have remained long without satisfactory 
reasons, but my comrade’s experience taught him that the 
difference of color in our costume was the cause. 
