olonel Billings was full of hospitable notions, and made the afternoon
pass delightfully.

"They tell me there is very good shooting in the neighborhood at times,"
said Mr. Corrigan, as they all sat on the veranda in the afternoon.

"Excellent," said the colonel. "At this time of the year the snipe
shooting is fine."

"What is the best time to shoot them?" asked Van Belder.

"I should say after dark," said the host, with an imperceptible wink at
Mr. Corrigan.

"I don't see how you can shoot snipe after dark," said Ted.

"You don't exactly shoot them," explained Mr. Corrigan. "It's this way,
and a fine game, and often practiced in South Chicago: The party goes
out, and one holds the bag while the rest go along and drive the birds
in, and the fellow who holds the bag catches them in it. It's lots
easier than shooting them, and you get more birds."

"By Jove, that's a new experience to me!" said Ted. "I'd like to try
it."

Mr. van Belder looked at him curiously, but drawled that he thought it
very fine sport. So it was agreed that that night they should go on a
snipe-bagging expedition.

The party was to be made up of Ted, who was eager to hold the bag for
the snipe to run into; Mr. Corrigan, the colonel, Mr. van Belder, and a
few others.

Most of the boys declined absolutely to go.

"Say, aire ye gittin' plumb dotty?" asked Bud, when he got Ted out of
hearing. "Tell me, is it possible thet yer eyeteeth aire so far
secreted up inter yer head thet yer don't know erbout baggin' snipe?"

But all the answer Bud got was a wink.

"Now, what hez ther hombre got up his sleeve, I wonder?" said Bud, as he
wandered off.

Ted and Stella had an animated conversation a few minutes later out of
the sight and hearing of the others. But Stella walked off, smiling. She
knew.

It was just getting dark when the party left the ranch house.

Ted carried a large, empty sack over his shoulder. With the organizers
of the party went Bud, Ben, Kit, Carl, and Clay.

The maddest person in the house that evening was Stella, because she
couldn't go, too. But as she said good-by to the party from the steps of
the ranch house she smiled comprehensively at Ted.

A walk of a half mile brought the party to the edge of a small creek.

"Now," said Mr. Corrigan, "here's where you wait with the bag while we
go up to the creek and chase them down. You may have to wait a little
while, and you must have patience."

"Don't worry about me,"