ut I was
resolved to have satisfaction!" replied Joe.

"Yes, but you have had it with a vengeance; and I doubt not that your
apparent contentment is but cold comfort," continued Glenn.

"I'm not a bit cold--I shan't change my clothes, and I'm ready for any
other sport you like," said Joe.

"If you really suffer no inconvenience from the wet--and this fine
warm day inclines me to believe you--we will take our guns and walk
out to the small lakes on the borders of the prairie."

"Splash it"--began Joe.

"No--_duck_ it," interrupted Glenn.

"Well, I should like to know exactly what you mean--whether you are in
earnest about going to the ponds, or whether you are joking me for
getting _ducked_--as there's nothing in them now to shoot but _ducks_,
and it may have popped into your head just because I had the
_ducking_," said Joe.

"I am in earnest," said Glenn; "I do not wish to annoy William, or to
meet Roughgrove and Mary until their domestic arrangements are all
completed."

"That's strange," said Joe.

"What's strange?" asked Glenn, quickly.

"Why, your not wanting to meet Miss Mary. I say it is most
mysteriously strange," replied Joe.

"Say nothing more about it, and think less," said Glenn, striding in
advance, while a smile played upon his lip.

"But I can't help dreaming about it--and my dreams all come true,"
said Joe.

"What have you been dreaming--but never mind--bring out the guns,"
said Glenn, pausing at the gate of the inclosure, and not venturing to
hear Joe recite the dream about himself and Mary.

When possessed of the necessary implements, they set out towards the
groves that bordered the prairie, among which were several lakes of
clear water, not more than fifty or sixty paces in diameter, where the
various wild fowl, as well as the otter and the muskrat, usually
abounded. Our hero had previously anticipated some sport of this
nature, and constructed blinds on the verge of the lakes, and cut
paths through the clustering bushes to reach them stealthily. The lake
they now approached was bounded on one side by the green meadow-like
prairie, and fringed on the other by hazel thickets, with an
occasional towering elm that had survived the autumnal fires.

The morning breeze had subsided, and a delightful calm prevailed. A
thousand wild flowers, comprising every hue, filled the air with
delicious fragrance, while no sound was heard but the melody of happy
birds.

"I think I see a duck!" whi