The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1890-07-19

1t has been often remarked that We
see tile mast wonderful game and the
best chances fer a shot when we have
no gun but there is no accounting for
the chances an amateur hunter will
miss when he is loaded with guns, but
happens to be thinking of letting live
instead of killing. Mr.. S. B. Ross of
Newton, Miss. tells the following story
on himself: We had camped Gu the
banks of the Tallahatchie river, in
Quitman county. and as all kinds of
wild game inhabit the jungles of that
region, naturally expected an excellent
days sport the following morning after
our arrival. There were five OF the
party. and when the Others had disap-
pearei in pairs picked up my rife
and slipped e to Blue Lane, fully
determined to kill 4 bear, panther or
eagle. and thus gain a reputation as a
sportsman. Ny friends were all good
shots and had each killed one or more
large specimens of the galne | now
sought. had done nothing like thi5
and was Looked upon as a rather sorry
hunter, or, in fact, no hunter at all.
When our tent was pitched on Cassidy
bayou. the week before, my most earn
est efforts had resulted in nothing. and
/, of course. came in fora great anount
of g~o0d-natured ridicule. Resolved 10
redeem myself, | now stole cautiously
along, momentarily expecting some
huge black monster To spring from the
zane and let me shoot him. Nothing
appeared, however. and | reached The
lake without interrul ton. CHANGING
through i perfect little arbor of wild
grapevines | saw a beautiful mallard
duck, swimming c%ontentediy about
rear the center OF the lake. Even as |
parted the leaves to get a better view
of the scene, the rush of mighty wings
reached my ears. and the duck disap-
peared beneath the waters just as a
hinge bald eagle SKINNED the surface. .
"BraYeiy done, my fine little fellow !! r
| in~voluntarily exclaimed, as the eagle
rose iii the air with a cry Of lisappoiht-
ment. The mallard's head bobbed ~
a few seconds later. but was quickly
withdrawn as his huge antagonist once |
more darted toward hiui. Seeing that :
it was impossible to capture the dainty
morset without assistance, the great
American bird flew skyward again.
and, when some fifty or sixty yards
above the tree tops, sent forth q long. :
keen cry for help. This was proven
by the appearance of its mate a short +,
time later, aud then, sou may be sure, +,
the,, made 1t lively for the duck. One
would swoop dcwn, while the the other
swung around III short circles, ready
to grasp the green head when it cane
up for breath. and between them they
managed TO keep it almost constantly
under water. AS often as tiln fiat bill
popped up an eagle dashed at it. and.
from the frequency Of its appearance.
it soon became evident that the duck
was almost sutfocated. Every time
the water sIlashed | noticed that ii
was a little neal the bushes which
hung low 0ver the eastern shove, and
then it occurred TO me that the duck
was endeavorin@ to gain their friendly
shelter. This idea was substantiated
by the fact that both eagles We're re
doubling their efforts as they APP
preached the bushes. and plainly de-
sired to catch their intended victim
before it reached them. Once or twice
the feathers flew in a perfect shower,
and / held my breath through fear that
the unequal battle was over. Such
was not the case, however, and the
duck at last darted beneath the bauk
and was safely protected by the many
O~gerhanglng zines Then the eagles,
wet and disgusted. flew over my head
and far into the suamn while wall
pleased with the manner in which the
affair had terminated, fastened back
camp. Bob jones was the only
one who had returned, and when |
mentioned what had occurred he start
led me BIZ asking: "Why didn't you
shoot the eagle q hadn't thought Of
and, as Jones turned away with
a broad grin on his homely face, / went
of and sat behind d tree with the
that | was no hunter -Ex.