The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-03-14

peculiarly TRIM llttle Sloop lying up ~ Viz
landing.
'What boat is that" | inquired of O
typical wharf lounger-half gunner, hall
fisherman, and altogether vagabond-wht
was leaning against one of the projecting
piles.
evil Goose; new duckin' p'lice boat,
he sententiously replied, regarding thu
sloop with an expression that was moi
altogether friendly.
''Who commands her?"
'Cap'n Spencer
Recognizing the name as that OF an ole
gunner of my acquaintance, now in the
service of the State and employed in con
serving, instead of destroying, the wild
waterfowl that find winter home in the
great Chesapeake Bay, fastened on board
the Wild Goose, and received cordial
greeting from the captain and his one
assistant, who composed the crew Of the
tiny vessel.
captain, - inquired, when the newt
able discussion Of weather probabilities
had been disposed of, care you going out
on patrol duty tonight?'
"Of course we are, replied the veteran.
"This time OF year it is necessary for Us to
20 out every night. Up to the first OF
January, you know, there is no shooting
allowed except on Monday, "Wednesday
and Friday, and the duck-pirates find it
difficult to keep quiet four nights out of
seven"
"Would you object to a passenger ON
this trip?"
''Not the least in the world. Glad to
have you 90. Jake, there is no talEer
when he has his hand on the tiller, and it
will liven things up to have another man
on board. Put or. an extra quit OF flannel,
stow couple of plugs in your pocket, and
be here in two hours"
The early December twilight was begin
ming to fall as walked down to the wharf,
after making preparations for a night on
the windswept bay, not forgetting tobacco
III us various shSSColihS "h'S'
suspected that the captain had spoken one
word for the passenger ard two for the
crew.
Ny reflections during the walk were
upon the circumstances which led to the
establishment Of ducking police fleet In
Maryland waters. Owing, perhaps, to the
fact that comparatively few of the Common
wealth's law makers were personally &C,
quainted with the actual condition OF affairs
on the Chesapeake, it was not till many
years after the annual flight OF wild ducks
had diminished in numbers that the
Assembly became aware OF the neces
sity for special legislation in behalf OF the
waterfowl that found cold. weather resi-
dence in the territory subject to its juris
diction. The people of the State fondlN
chung to the tradition that the surface o
the Chesapeake was blackened by the in
Vulnerable tlocks OF canvas-backs and red
heads, and reposed a degree OF confidence
in the stories which related that the boat
IucI VII tilC buy HSiS oie'h o'i' ,>' W. S'~N I
the ducks out of the way with poles il
order to make a channel. Suppose swivel
gun did sometimes kill three or four hun
dred at single shot, or a firelighter CAME
in with his sl;ilf so full of dead ducks that
its gunwales were only an inch above
water such facts as these were of no signif
icance, for were not the ducks there il
uncounted millions?
But when at last it dawned upon the
legislative mind that the number of ducks
taking part in the antumnal migration had
been reduced by one-half, many stringent
enactments were passed in rapid succession
The courts OF the counties bordering oil
the ducking grounds were authorized Il
issue licenses to, and to collect large fee:
from those who desired to shoot, either fol
pleasure or profit. During the perioC
when the ducks were arriving including
the months OF November and December
cunning was prohibited except on Monday
Wednesday and Friday, and for the re
mainder of the season the number of ''oper
days. was reduced to four. The patterl
and calibre Of the guns that might be uset
were described by strict legal definition
and, indeed. the present law is so severe il
its requirements and prohibitions that citi
zens of the State, in whose interest tn
enactments were passed, find their duckiny
grounds forbidden territory unless they ar
rich enough to purchase sport at muniticen
prices.
1t may be readily imagined that tn
enforcement of laws covering the surfac
OF the Chesapeake Bay and its numberles
island dotted and forest ,fringed tributarie
is a matter Of considerable difficulty: but
in fact, no persistent attempt is made t
enforce them except in that particular tel
ritory which lies within twenty miles G
the mouth Of the Susquehanna river 1t
here and there only that the ducks, b.
feeding on an aquatic plant not found il
the more distinctly saline waters of tn
lower bay, acquire that peculiar flavor whic
gives them an enormous and altogcthe
disproportionate value in metropolitan
markets. 1t happens, too, that these uppe
waters, being shallow and smooth, airor