y the recital, and it became a favorite of the members of
the bar on circuit, who, however, generally expressed one regret, viz.,
'that Worrell escaped alive, as the world thereby lost a most remarkable
criminal case.'

"Well, that's all there is of it; and as it's nine o'clock, and we want
to be up early, I think I'll conclude by bidding you all 'good night,
and pleasant dreams.'"

CHAPTER IV.

THE GRAND FLIGHT.--A GOOD STRATAGEM.--THE PACKET LIGHT.

At sunrise the next morning, the sportsmen hurried through their frugal
meal, and hastened to their various "ice-houses;" for a great change had
taken place in the weather, which, although the rain had ceased and the
sky had cleared somewhat, was still mild and spring-like. Even as they
lit their cigars at the door, they heard far up the cove the calls of
the wild geese, and a scattering volley which told that the Indians had
been early at their posts. Above the others arose two heavy reports,
which Davies declared could come from no other gun than Peter's
newly-acquired double-barrel.

With hastened steps the East Bar party took the ice, La Salle drawing
behind him a long "taboggin," or Indian sled, consisting merely of a
long, wide, half-inch board, turned up at one end, and forming, in fact,
a single broad runner, which cannot upset, and will bear a heavy load
over the lightest snow without sinking too deeply. On it were placed,
besides his own gun and that of Kennedy, a heavy target rifle, a large
lunch-box, and an ample bucket containing ammunition.

"You mean to 'lay them out' to-day, I guess, Charley," said Creamer,
good-humoredly. "You ain't apt to want ammunition, any way."

"What will you take for to-day's bag, cash down?" asked Ben, laughing.

"Here are our decoys," said La Salle, pointing to several dark objects
partially imbedded in the ice, but marking an almost perfect straight
line from the boat to the inner shore of the island.

"We had a rather narrow escape," remarked Kennedy, picking up one of the
decoys; "and it was well thought of to secure a retreat to our boat, in
case we had failed to reach the shore."

Little time, however, was lost in conversation. The "boat" and "box"
were to be cleared of the snow which had drifted inside, and concealed
by fragments of ice, in place of those which the rain had melted away.
The decoys were to be rearranged, heading to windward, and at least half
an hour was consumed in making these necessary a