The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-01-07

integrity, and at times was heroic in
bis own defense. We were simply
lucky that none of us were called upon
to second" i'll an affair of honor"
out in those Wisconsin wild woods.
The story that | am about to relate
vas told for the truth. yet no one was
an eyewitness. and hence | can only
vouch for it by telling you that l told
it, and when you understand the Ego
of this tale it will present itself forci-
bly, to your doubling minds as the
truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth
We have all read stories time and
again of the instinct of animals in do
nestle life, but l have never read any
thing like what | have TO relate, and
hence it may serve to advance the
knowledge already acquired in this d.
rection.
| left camp early one morning with
tackle in hand to try my Waltonian
skill in one of the little streams that
emptied its waters into the lake, on the
shores of which we had pitched our
tents. | had also taken my fowlin9
piece along for any emergency that
might arise. On reaching a desirable
place where my piscatorial art could be
used, as | thought, to the best advan-
tage, | threw out my lines, and seated
myself in a convenient place to await
bite" After some patient waiting
without even as much as a "nibble" to
my 1OCc pf tiT1n I n f.
tracted by a strange noise emanating
from clump of stout bushes that
sliirted the stream not far away. | took
up my gun and started in that direc-
ton to discover the cause. | had only
proceeded a few steps when out from
the bush waddled as fine mallard as
anyone would wish for a roast. "Ah!"
thought l, as l raised the gun. I'll just
take you in" But the strange action of
the duck called me from any intention
to Stay it, and | did not fire The rails
ing of the gun did not stop or disturb
the bird in the least. On it came toward
me, each moment increasing its
peculiar action, violently shaking it's
wings, and bobbing up and down, try
ing in every way, as | now know, to
attract my attention. | stood still to
watch it. She would advance in this
way toward me and then with a volley
of short "quacks" retreat hastily to-
ward the bush. 1t repeated this several
times and each time with seeming more
earnestness. | then resolved to follow
it. l had no doubt it had a purpose in
all this maneuver. l was right in IN.
the bush, keeping directly in front OF
me and just out of my reach. followed
to where, near the brink of the stream,
was an old box trap, and ir it secure
0nd fast was the male of the pair. The
female with the usual sagacity of that
sex undertook to free her mate, and
l resolved to repay her effort l
| lifted the box, and that instant they
were wild ducks once more. Away they
went as fast as wing and and air could
carry them, presuming, 1 suppose, on
the pertidy of man and that | would
shoot if they would give me a chance.
| went back to my lines bordering
over the question: Do not the wild
beast and fowl of the air know that man
hath been given the wisdom to conquer
and subdue all things?
told this at the camp fire that night,
but no one could or would offset it, and
at that | went to bed, the proud cham.
! pion of the day.
GUY ROYAL