Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-01-31
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From the Spirit Of the Times.
DUCK HUNT EXTRAORDINARY.
BY GUILLERMO, G. T. G..

BY aUILLERMo, G. T. c.
Mr.. Editor: In country filing up as Tex
as is, and has been for some years past, it is
but natural that we find a large number of per-
SONS who well merit the title of 'green 'uns. "
Of this class was John McL-e, native Of
old Virginia, who became citizen of Texas
soon after it was admitted into the Union
Now, friend John was passionately fond Of
hunting, and scarcely did bis foot press Texan
soil before he was running in all directions in
search of game, but unfortunately he wound
up his first exploit by staying three tame tur-
keys, the property Of an old lady in Al.
This threw such damper on his feelings, that
it caused him to forgo this amusement for
some time, until one day, when wished to 60
hunting, and having no company, I called by
for John, and, after some persuasion, prevail
ed upon him to accompany ME. Now be it
known that North Of the city of Al, about
amile, there lives wealthy butcher, who, at
the time I speak of, possessed large flock Of
sheep and goats, and among the latter tre-
mendous "William goat" who was famous for
his implicable hostility to ssseats of honor in
general, and those of the genus "Boy," in
particular Many a lad he had given Ga lift
in the world" and had caused as many more
to discover that their legs were not made mere
ly to stretch cloth over, but to protect their
bodies when prudence advised retreat.
Well, on the evening in question, as John
and I were moving noiselessly along the banks
of a small creek, that wanders through the
butchers pasture grounds, I noticed that friend
"Billy," of the horns was cycling us rather too
closely to bespeak usmuch comfort in the pro-
spective, and, being myself a very prudent
parsonage, and possessing a great relish for
joke, soon decided upon what course to pur-
sue.
"John," said I, 'tyou see that tree at the
bend of the creek, about forty yards from here ?
Well, you sneak along here, By this underbush
on the bank, until you are about twenty yards
from the tree; then you must get on your hands
and knees and crawl to the foot of it. When
you get there, don't put more than your head
through the underbush. and see if any ducks
are in the pond"
every well" he answered, ''I'll do it exact
ly right; but what are you going to do in the
meantime? Take my flask, 1 may loose it"
81 am going down here and cross over the
creek, so as to get shot as they rise. Now
do be careful, John, and don't show fire till l
am ready-Pll give the signal"
So saying, I bounded off towards little
mound, just behind where We were, and out of
the reach of his goatship, who had now left
the flock, and was approaching John with his
head, ears and tail erect. In the meantime,
eager for shot at the ducks my friend follow
ed my instructions to the letter, and having
arrived at the point designated, he dropped
down on call fours," and crawled carefully and
quietly along, while friend Chilly" followed
with the most inquisitive motions, being en-
tirely at loss to account for the sudden meta
morphosis of his intended victim.
John finally reached the tree, and putting
his head slowly through the bushes, to his
great delight perceived five Or six plump pad
dlers on the water, all uncoucious of the cruel
death impending over them.
"Billy," during the survey on the part Of
John, had approached within two or three feet,
and was scanning him carefully, as if to pick
the most vulnerable part of his body Having
at length apparently decided, he took two or
three steps backward, and rearing upon his
hinder legs, he sprang forward, and planted
his horns and forehead in that part of friend
John where honor is generally supposed to be
located, with such good will and effect that he
vanished with most unbccoming haste, and
second afterwards the ominous sound Off hea-
Wy body falling into the water told but plainly
the fate of the duck-hunter ran down and
crossed the creek opposite to where John was,
and found him just getting out of the water,
and heaping curses upon me for pushing him
in, while "Billy'' was standing upon the other
bank very compaccntly viewing the scene, as
.thoug gh he was innocent of all participation in
it.
John, not having perceived his goatship,
made the comforting assertion that he intended
"to give me a good licking for it," and was
cooUy preparing to put his words into effect,
when pointed to the real perpetrator of the
mischief, and bursted into laugh. He gazed
at mBilly" for moment, then taking up his
gun and starting off, he quietly remarked:
"Well, W., you may use my head for foot
ball if I ever come ducking and go home duck
e0."
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