Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-11-15
THEIR GREAT DUCK HUNT.
The Ludicrous Predicamonts that Five Merry Florencians got into Last
 Saturday Night.

Last Saturday evening, just as the sun began to sink beyond the brilliant hues of our western horizon. and the towns people began to button up their coats to baffie the invading chill, mysterious vehicle drawn by four swift coursers was seen to steal swiftly out of Florence and vanish into the gath ering gloom. Five impatient faces peered forward as if the pace was far too slow, and vanishing like a flash with tl e ietreating apparation.
 Though the unusual train defied any attempt at 'shadowing," Yet the paticu- lars have come back in gratifying detail. It turns out to be party of five ambi- tious and sport-loying merchants of Flor ence. From the subsequent experience it might be thought that they were hunt ing the fabulous ''snipe." but truth com pels the admission that 1t was nobler game.-Ducks, in fact!
 The party holding the reins has the reputation of being a marvelously eX pert driver; and under the hypnotic in- fluence of gazing up into black bottle every now and then, completely outdid his former record. The admiration of his four friends grew into astonishment as the swift evolutions of the art were pro- duced and astonishment gave way to fear and consternation as the exploits grew wilder and more dangerous. The black ness of a cloudy winters night did not seem to checkithe drivers zeal. He dash ed ahead through mud, through brush, and through splashing water.
 The laugh that arose at sprinkling of muddy water would be cut short by a dash through the stinging overhanging branches of a mesquite tree and when the scratched and bewildered crowd had just recovered their breath terrific jolt knock ed it all out again. The tactics were sud denly changed. and without seconds warning the coach spun around on one hind wheel and rushed off in the opposite direction. The rear occupants leaped out in wild dismay at each repetition of this startling performance. The front occu- pants would have done likewise had there been any way of doing so. Everyone's hair was on end, except that of the reck- less engineer. He alone seemed be get ting all the enjoyment of the ride.
 But merciful fate finally interposed: Just as the coach sank to the hubs in a slough the driver piled on the last straw that broke the camels' back. He could spin his wagon like a top on dry land. but his lighting flip wouldn't work worth cent in three feet of mud.
 The wagon spun, but the hind wheel didn't
 It stayed right there.
 The fellows were just congratulating themselves on the conclusion of the per formance when their hopes were dashed to the ground by the drivers exclamation:
 "Three wheels are enough for me, any how. GIT UP THEREP'-and started up the wagon in regular thumpety-b bump ump-out-or-ge killed fashion. This didn't last long, however. and the four vic tins took advantages of the Hull in the stormy proceedings, to borrow a fresh wagon from Miller's ranch. With this they reached their goal, the duck pond, known as the 15mile reservoir. Here they separated and waded out into the cold, muddy depths.
 One of the shivering young men climbed tree, and drew his feet up out of the wa ter. His vigil was shortly rewarded by an inquisitive duck that came within range Tired out and desperate, the young hunter determined to wing that duck. He took careful aim and pulled both triggers. Simultaneously with the report yell pierced the air, followed by a heavy splash. The disgusted gun had kicked its owner out of the tree. It was a pitiabl looking object that lifted its mud dy self out of those mirey depths. But there was no pity whatever in screams of laughter that hoated over the bosom of the dark pond, derisiyely echoing them selves hoarse.
 The emud-begrimmed object waded to- ward the canal bank as the shortest way out; but here channel had been cut, and to swim was the only alter native. He did this, and came through the icy waters a sadder and more ex- perienced man.
 When daylight appeared the driver re- turned. He had cast off the hypnotic spell of the black bottle, and was ignorant of the nights weird adventures. Con- sequently the transformed appearance of the vehicle, the borrowed wagon, complete ly upset him. He had started off with an elegant rig, which in some mystical man. ner was now an unmistakable lumber wagon
 Four quivering figures trotted home ward behind the rattling wagon, their dripping clothes in their hands. Two lonesome ducks lay unconscious in the wagon-and they were mud hens at that
 They overlook one small boy, but a very important one. A string of ducks burdened him down.
 The small boy still went on but he car ried no ducks.
 The mud hens in the wagon were moi alone. Beside them rested eight plump ducks! How did 1t happen?