FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137  
138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   >>   >|  
gh price in the markets of the American cities. Disputes have arisen between the fowlers of different States around the Bay about the right of shooting upon it; and vessels full of armed men--ready to make war upon one another--have gone out on this account. But the government of these States succeeded in settling the matter peacefully, and to the satisfaction of all parties." The canoe at this moment shot round a bend, and a long smooth expanse of the river appeared before the eyes of our voyageurs. They could see that upon one side another stream ran in, with a very sluggish current; and around the mouth of this, and for a good stretch below it, there appeared a green sedge-like water-grass, or rushes. Near the border of this sedge, and in a part of it that was thin, a flock of wild fowl was diving and feeding. They were small, and evidently ducks; but the distance was yet too great for the boys to make out to what species they belonged. A single large swan--a trumpeter--was upon the water, between the shore and the ducks, and was gradually making towards the latter. Francois immediately loaded one of his barrels with swan, or rather "buck" shot, and Basil looked to his rifle. The ducks were not thought of--the trumpeter was to be the game. Lucien took out his telescope, and commenced observing the flock. They had not intended to use any precaution in approaching the birds, as they were not extremely anxious about getting a shot, and were permitting the canoe to glide gently towards them. An exclamation from Lucien, however, caused them to change their tactics. He directed them suddenly to "hold water" and stop the canoe, at the same time telling them that the birds ahead were the very sort about which they had been conversing--the "canvass-backs." He had no doubt of it, judging from their colour, size, and peculiar movements. The announcement produced a new excitement. All four were desirous not only of shooting, but of _eating_, a canvass-back; and arrangements were set about to effect the former. It was known to all that the canvass-backs are among the shyest of water-fowl, so much so that it is difficult to approach them unless under cover. While feeding, it is said, they keep sentinels on the look-out. Whether this be true or not, it is certain that they never all dive together, some always remaining above water, and apparently watching while the others are under. A plan to get near them was n
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137  
138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
canvass
 

appeared

 

feeding

 
Lucien
 

trumpeter

 

States

 

shooting

 

Disputes

 

cities

 

conversing


colour

 
announcement
 

produced

 
excitement
 
movements
 

peculiar

 

judging

 

telling

 

gently

 

fowlers


permitting

 

extremely

 

anxious

 

exclamation

 

suddenly

 
directed
 

tactics

 

caused

 

change

 

arisen


desirous

 

Whether

 
sentinels
 

remaining

 

apparently

 

watching

 

effect

 

arrangements

 

eating

 

American


difficult
 
approach
 

shyest

 

markets

 

government

 
succeeded
 

stretch

 
diving
 
account
 

rushes