The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-30

puTpoee she oaeae ct hin with an open mouth, and
oia man dd not wish TO lose pece ofhis shcs
before he got far the old marc had him by tho rear
Of his pants. Tho old man, finding himself nipped,
seized bold Of broomstick. which was all done in 10
space Of an instant The marc, beholding the stick,
let 20 OF the Captains rear, turned around kicked
up her heels, and AWAY she trotted down the road
and the old man after her, whilo we three stood
conyulsed with laughter witnessing tho comical en-
counter between the marc and the old man; but be-
fore the old captain came up with her the malicious
animal laid herself down in tho mud and took
roll, evidently with the intention of shaking of the
harness. After awhile, come assistance was render
cd the perrlsxed Captain, and the unruy mare was
hove to- under close reef topsail. her running rig
gpe secMod on her body, and the two animals at
last placed side by side in the wagon
The old Captain now drove up 70 tho tavern and
invited us to take our seats, as all was ready. On
and cable. ''Whats this anchor for?'' was the no.
mark made when we entered the wagon ooh, re-.
piled the old Captain, 81 just take her along and in
case tho mares get on too much Roadway, lust cast
laughed heartily at the sailors ingenuity, and
of we started, the old mare every now and
then giving her head shake, indicating
something vicious, and the old sailor in reply would
exclam ''Get up, you old witch; wish you had bro
ken your neck whom you ran aftor me this morning
The old Captain amused us very much on our trip,
by his droll nautical phrases He told us all about
the loss of his vessel and what worse than all,
he said his wife died two weeks after his vessel sunk
leaving him three children to keep. We could rea-
Oily sec that the old sailor was much more puzzled
in steering horses than ho would be in guiding q
large vessel AT times the old horses would 60 from
one side of the road to the other yet he would not
give up the rens to either Of us, but would call out
10 his animals in hisnautical lingo, "What are you
ibing about; huff up, a little old mare; what are
you about :! lilo would then pull on the main sheet.
(the rcins) and give the old marc cut the back
with the end Of the reins. In answer to this the
old mare gave powerful switch with hor lorg tail,
which brushed the old man in tho face sStop that
are. you old crter, exclaimed the old Captain. ''or
Ill take reef in that old tail of yours before night,
wo went along. the old man brought to, and asked
them all sorts Of questions, about all sorts of things
wishing to know oil tho business of folks
This last journey, although attended with somo
risk Of being upset. yet we were much amused
the way, by the old sailor, and his mode of navga-
ting on land. Arriving at the ferry rs it is termed,
which is nothing more than a crock, which runs
from tho large bay found habitaon erected not
even shed to protect any from tho sun or
storm pile of wood and several sail boats all
that could be seen to constitute the ferry. Here we
met Jesse Sprague, the celebrated wild fowl gunner
Of that region. Tho appearance Of Jesse indicated
exactly his occupation. He was the man to whom
we had been recommended guide and in
structor in the art and mystery Of "lying low for
black duck" Jesse's appearance and dress was
kind Of mixture between the fisherman and tho Bar
ncgat pirate; his wooen Jacket and long water
guns. mounted on his shoulder, gnve him a very
formidable aspect his weather beaten complexion
indicated his course of business in fact, he looked
capable Of facing the most formidable northeastern
Northwestern prevailing in that latitude, yet with
all, he bore the good-natured countenance Of an
honest man. AT this ferry, as it is termed, we could
discern, ut some four miles distance across the ex-
tensiye bay, the hotel at which we were destin ID
! to put up at and while we musing over the
surrounding waters, Jesse was busy preparing tho
| sail boat for our departure. Our straps" Do -
and guns were. shipped, the old Judge took
the wind was blowing rather squnlly from the
west, notwithstanding the sky was clear.
After leaving the creek, our sail took the wind,
and we crossed the bay in fino style, witnessing,
we glidcd along, thousands Of brant and ducks in
ocks rising from the bay, taking their flights from
large bay to tho other. extending fifteen or
twenty miles. Manahawkin bay contains many
islands, which give it very picturesque, appear.
what is termed the feeding ground for the ducks,
abounds with long grass, which is easy of access
at low water. 1t requires very good pilot to
yigate these waters. or you will be always running
on sand bar. il not acquainted with the channels
On our arrival across the bay, We passed up
| creek some little distance, and there landed GU
sand tank; here the hotel islocated called the Man
sion Of HEALTH the name certainly speaks well for
the location, for God help any who should got
sick there, no medical assistance could be had
possibly within fifty miles. But it seems people
don't get sick; it is the mansion Of HEALTH" and
II. =
dilapidated. old wooden building, Of some twenty
years standing, containing an alleged accommoda-
ton in the summer season for two three hundred
boardcrs. The landlord, Edward Jennings, is
very clever. accommodating man, and apparently
wishes to make his guests comfortable as posi-
be. This building is situated abou, 500 yards from
the beach and about the distance from the bay,
on barren sand bank--not tree or shrub to re-
lieve the eye from the glaring white sand. Here
we posted ourselves for few days shooting and
glad we were to take resting spell, having gone
through rough travel Of one day and night, with
out rest or sleep After dinner we prepared our guns
and habiliments for the bay duck shooting. The
next morning, before daylight. breakfasted, and
took our boats under the escort Of Jesse Spraguo
who, in estimation, lisa perfect ''Lcather Stock
ing" among the wild fowl, as that character
among the deer pictured in of Cooper novels.
We rowed out, and took position on the edge of
small island. facing the wind, which blew cold
from the northwest; each boat was anchored stern
on the shore: these boats are made expressly for
duckng they arc boarded over, leaving only space
enough in the centre for the gunner to crouch down.
the beats then carefully covered with seawced,
in order to disguise the and in front Of the boats
in the water. arc anchored, within gun shot, about
$50 dccoy ducks and geese, made of wood, and
painted to represent the real fowl, and really, at
short distance the imitation is capital, the NOV
ing of tho water gives them the life like effect. All
now being prepared. tho gunner sccludcs himself in
the bottom of the boat, and there remains with
loaded gun, awaiting the approach Of the ducks, as
they take their flight from one bay to the other.
The old gunncrs can initiate the call of the ducks
and geese, which materially aids them in drawing
the fowl to the decoys. The first day we shot
but few ducks, although remained in our
boats until sun down; the wind, it seems, was
blowing the wrong way for the birds to fly much;
they always take their fights according to the tides
and wind. At sun down we took up anchor and re-
TUNED. in heavy squal Of rain; for myself, felt
very cold, and my elbows and hips wero very tender,
from the continual pressure one side the other,
crampcd up for so many hours in the small boat;
f.ticr
n started foforo ds~ ;oht - ths
bay, but the old Judge declined to accompany us,
prefcrng to roam the bay in large sail boat,
taking long shots at the iocs Of ducks they rose,
which aids the gunncrs located in the boats, by
keeping the birds on the wing. This day we had
better luck n flock fbrant came along; our gun
ners initiated the call, and they all lowered up to
the decoy ducks, and were in the act of alighting.
when the word was given by old Jcsso-frc Bang,
bang, bang, &c, was the reply, and discharge Of
double ''Bs,' from four double barreed guns, and
down tumbed the ducks, wounded and dead, and
when collected together. the total numbered seven
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