te so perfectly the cries and calls of the birds and beasts of
the lakes and forests that at times even the most experienced are
completely deceived. In addition, this Indian was also a ventriloquist,
and was able to so correctly throw his voice that the quacking of the
ducks seems to be from the spot where the dog, now so motionless, was
lying. The old Indian afterward explained that the calls were of ducks
that had found something of interest, and were invitations for other
ducks to come and see, and when he had induced some of the ducks to take
up the call they would go on repeating it until so many others took it
up, and all would then be anxious to see what the fuss was all about.

"Ducks," added the old man, "are like people, sometimes curious to see
when there is not much after all to look at."

So, because of the calls to come and look, the flocks kept flying or
swimming nearer and nearer, and all there was to see was only a ball of
something very white and still. Not an hour before they were curious to
see the antics of a lively little white dog; now they were curious to
see him apparently motionless and dead.

By carefully peering through the dense bushes, the boys, with guns
loaded, were able to see the dog quivering with suppressed excitement,
as the many quackings of the ducks told him of the success of his ruse.
However, he was so well-trained that he would not move until the welcome
signal was given him, and then with a bound and a bark he was up, and
again, as the startled ducks rose up, the reports of all the guns rang
out, and nearly as many more fine ducks fell before the simultaneous
discharge. This was capital sport for the boys. Koona's sagacity, and
thorough training, in being thus able to bring the ducks within range of
the guns, first by his comical antics, and then by his perfect quiet,
very much delighted them. Their only annoyance was that when they
wanted to pat and fondle him he resented their familiarity, and growled
at them most decidedly. Indian dogs do not as a rule take to white
people at first, but kindness soon wins them, and they often become fast
friends.

The canoe was again launched, and the hunters proceeded a couple of
miles farther and had some more capital shooting. Very proud and happy
were they with this, their first day of duck shooting, and often did
they in after days have much to say of the marvellous cleverness of the
spotless Koona.

As the brigades were