woefully uncertain in its nature.

"Now, just keep still, will you, for one moment," muttered Benjy,
advancing cautiously through the outer margin of reeds, among the stems
of which he peered earnestly while he cocked his gun.

The individual to whom he spoke made no reply, because it was a goose--
would that it were thus with all geese! It was a grey goose of the
largest size. It had caught a glimpse of the new and strange creature
that was paddling about its home, and was wisely making for the shelter
of a spot where the reeds were more dense, and where Benjy would not
have dared to follow. For, it must be remembered that our young
sportsman was sunk to his waist in water, and that the reeds rose high
over his head, so that if once lost in the heart of them, he might have
found it extremely difficult to find his way out again.

Anxious not to lose his chance, he gave vent to a loud shout. This had
the effect of setting up innumerable flocks of wild-fowl, which,
although unseen, had been lurking listeners to the strange though gentle
sound of the water-tramp. Among them rose the grey goose with one or
two unexpected comrades.

Benjy had not at that time acquired the power of self-restraint
necessary to good shooting. He fired hastily, and missed with the first
barrel. Discharging the second in hotter haste, he missed again, but
brought down one of the comrades by accident. This was sufficiently
gratifying. Picking it up, he placed it on the boat-buoy in front of
him to balance several ducks which already lay on the part in rear. He
might have carried a dozen geese on his novel hunting-dress, if there
had been room for them, for its floating power was sufficient to have
borne up himself, and at least four, if not five, men.

Pursuing his way cautiously and gently, by means of the webbed feet
alone, the young sportsman moved about like a sly water-spirit among the
reeds, sometimes addressing a few pleasant words, such as, "how d'ye do,
old boy," or, "don't alarm yourself, my tulip," to a water-hen or a
coot, or some such bird which crossed his path, but was unworthy of his
shot; at other times stopping to gaze contemplatively through the reed
stems, or to float and rest in placid enjoyment, while he tried to
imagine himself in a forest of water-trees.

Everywhere the feathered tribes first gazed at him in mute surprise;
then hurried, with every variety of squeak, and quack, and fluttering
wing, from his