The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-08-12
WILD DUCKS IN JAPAN.

Stark Co. Democrat.
WILD DUCKS IN JAPAN
An American gentleman travelling
in Japan has given the following ac-
count Of duck hunt in which he par
ticipated some time ago, some features
of which will doubtless strike the
American sportsman as novel:
s.The other day I went On n wild
duck hunt with my interpreter and
one guard. We started early, and,
preceding through the rice fields fer
some distance, crossed low line Of
hills lying to the north, and passed
fertile valley about four miles to
village where the people had made
preparations for . grand duck hunt in
anticipation Of our coming. Near by
was a small lake, snug among the hills
and near the base of q mountain called
the Dragons Clam 1t was a most
picturesque place, with pine grove
skirting the margin Of the water,
and clumps of bushes and reeds scat
tered along in various places.
The entire surface of the lake was
covered with ducks, while clouds of
them hsyered over the trees and
wheeled to and fro IN wild confusion.
The whole neighborhosd was literally
alive with them. This lake had long
been the resort Of ducks, but the peo-
pie had never allowed q gun to be
fred in the nsighborhood, and had
centented themselves with now and
then catching few with. nets. The
consequence was that the ducks had
never known what it was to be shot
at, and were comparatively tame.
When it was known that was csm-
ing here to hunt, the customary order
was revoked, and everybody was
given permission to come with his gun
and join in the sport. The men had
constructed lew mounds Of pine
branches, resembling Esquimaux huts,
along the edge Of the lake and At the
points most frequented by the fowls.
As soon az each enc of US got fairly
settled, either in . mound or under . |
tree or bush, we began to shoot at the
innocent ducks which lay in the thick
masses before us. AS the first shot
echoed among the hills . myriad of
quacking creatures rose in one great
cloud from the surface of the water,
and fer time the air was completely
filled with them.
81 never before saw such specta-
Gle; the sky seemed darkened with
feathered fugitives, and the noise made
by their wings was like that of
mighty rushing wind. Especially
was the noise as one flock after an
other wheeled directly over my head
then they suddenly turned q short
curve, their white breasts flashed for
motion of their wings made a breeze
like great fan upon tho face. They
had not learned yet what the sound of
a gun meant, and as no person was to
be seen they ere long settled again
quietly on the water.
"Another volley soon started Them
up again, however, and they rose into
the air, leaving many of their dead and
companions on the surface
of the lake. Now their flight became
swift and broken, and as they passed
close above our heads we fired indis-
into their midst, causing
ho To f,.ss |
fusion. The poor things knew not
what to do; the lake had always been
their quiet home, and they knew not
whittier to flee. So, as none of their
cruel enemies were. in sight, down
they came again upon the death laden
surface OF the water. They were com.
pletely tired out, and as shot after
shot skipped along beside them, they
only shook their heads and remained
where they were. The firing contin-
ned the whole morning, and the wa
ters around their formerly peaceful
retreat were Redeemed with the fruits
Of the bloody slaughter,
"At one time during the day, while
somewhat Withdrawn from the party,
heard q peculiar 'whir.r' Of some
thing in the air, and turning quickly
saw q bullet strike the bank beside
me. A shower Of mud was spattered
over me, and at little distance a
Japanese man was in full flight. There
was nothing near nae for . proper
Target, and there is little doubt that
this was manifestation of the bitter
hostility to all foreigners for which 1
have since learned, this neighborhood
Is noted. At that very time many Of
The Inhabitants had shut themselves
mp in their houses in fierce rage at the a
idea of detested 'Trojin's' being en-
tertained among them." ~
TUr exfreme eZe0nnks in Paris al.