DUCK SHOOTING. 269 
On arrival, therefore, they wash themselves and arrange 
their dress before commencing their meal—an example oth- 
er travelers would do well to imitate. But,as the night 
advanced, some strangers are mixed with the throng. The 
dusky duck, the bald-pate, the pin-tail, the blue and green 
winged teal, shoot past like arrows from a bow, the latter 
inaking, with the rapid motion of their wings, a sound not 
unlike an ungreased wheel or hinge. When the travelers 
are satisfied with the neighborhood, they dash down upon 
the water, causing it to fly in spray for yards around, while 
the first arrivals welcome the new-comers with innumera- 
ble quacks. The report of a gun then will scarcely alarm 
them, and, if they should rise, in a moment they will re-set- 
tle, doubtlessly feeling security in their numbers. 
Tarry a little longer, friend ; it may be too dark to shoot, 
but a better sight than all is yet before ‘you; be not im- 
patient—don’t you hear that strange voice? The geese are 
coming —ay, and brant, too—can’t you hear their noisy 
chattering? Move not an inch; these fellows have two eyes, 
equal in excellence to the whole hundred of Arguses placed 
together. Soon a dark line is seen against the sky advan- 
cing directly to us. Honk! honk! honk! comes from its 
different sections, doubtlessly inquiries from the leader as 
to the propriety of calling a halt. Keep close—stir not, 
nor think of shooting, till they are over you. You can not, 
perhaps, see them fall, but the splash they will make tells 
the tale. Another and another regiment of these worthies 
came in, till perfect Erebus inclosed us, and further shoot- 
ing became impossible. Our dogs had been busy gather- 
ing the slain, and a noble bag we had. The thermometer 
continuing to fall, and the appearance of a snow-storm be- 
coming momentarily more marked, we mutually determined 
to desist, well satisfied with our night’s recreation. 
It took time and trouble satisfactorily and securely to 
