here the water was
altogether still, or was running with less force. This gave them a
great advantage; still, having once begun the chase we felt no
inclination to give it up, hunger urging us on.

The trees in many places overhung the water, shutting out the rays of
the sun. Here and there, however, penetrating through more open parts,
they struck on the snowy plumage of the birds, enabling us clearly to
keep them in view.

"We are getting near them," whispered Robin, who was peering under the
sail. "We shall soon be close enough to make our shot tell with
effect."

We had no intention on entering the stream of going so far out of our
way. Now having begun we were led on and on, still hoping soon to come
up with the chase. At last we reached a part where the branches of the
trees so densely overhung the water that they cast a dark shadow below,
which almost completely concealed the canoe.

The swans, we concluded from their movements, no longer perceived us,
for they began to swim about in an unconcerned fashion, some of them
even allowing themselves to be carried down by the current. Four of
them at length got quite close to us, when Martin and I, lifting our
guns, fired, and two, immediately spreading out their wings for an
instant, dropped their heads in the water.

Their companions, on seeing their fate, darted off with loud screams;
while we, lowering our sail, got out our paddles and propelled the canoe
as fast as we could to secure our prey.

One of the birds was quite dead; the other struggled violently as Robin
seized it by the neck, and tried to dart its beak at him, very nearly
upsetting the canoe. As soon as Martin and I had hauled the other bird
on board, we went to his assistance, Martin holding the poor bird tight
round the neck till its struggles ceased, when we also got it into the
canoe.

We might have been satisfied with our prizes, but we wished to obtain a
supply of provisions sufficient to enable us to continue our voyage
without stopping to hunt. We therefore rehoisted our sail, and made
chase after the remainder of the swans. The appearance of the stream
also tempted us to continue our course, as we thought it possible that
we might fall in with some animals--perhaps deer coming down to drink,
or beavers, or smaller creatures--which might give us a variety of food.
Should we be successful our intention was to land and smoke them
thoroughly, so that they might last us for the re