The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-20
CARRYING LEAD BOTH WAYS.
A Phenomenal Duck That Goes South
Loaded In Winter and North in Spring.
From the Denrer Post


Il got another shot at him yesterday, but
he got away again." said E. NJ. Gale. the
candy man. to an old friend he ran against
on Sixteenth street.
shot at who?" was the surprised rejoinder.
NO who it was an 1t, but call 1t him
the lone mallard; didn't ever tell you about
him?"
Never tell me now"
why. the lone mallard, the big duck that
leads the charmed life, comes to the lake on
my Weld county ranch twice a year and leases
me and flies away again"
First ever heard of him."
Well. be still and you'll hear some more
In the first place. he's the biggest duck
ever saw-biggest on EARTH and III bet money
on 1t. / saw him three years ago--no, two
years and a half ago-itll be three years
next spring. ] was out after ducks and I'd
rather hunt ducks than to eat"
"Or to drink" inquired his friend.
Don't get funny. said eat, but was
going to tell you am always hanging about
that lake during the. season. and one day
i sighted a big duck coming up from the
south. He looked as big as n turkey, and
really, Ill bet he weighs IL pounds, and there 8
many a turkey that don't weigh that. He
ducks that had foated up to within easy
shooting distance from the blind was crouch
ing behind, and made up my mind to get
= had good gun, liS,bors. and my shells
Well. had no sooner stood up than the lone
he was about twenty feet up let drive with
my right barrel! He didn't SO much as flicker
Then ! let him have, my left, and l felt sure
bit him, but he just kept right on thought
he would circle and come back but he didn t.
His ticket seemed to be a through one, and
his stop-over, privilege, was limited;
till the Following iaii, when he came 's alon i
again one day and dropped into the water
right where he had lit the spring before.
i Knocked a feather out Of him, but thai; was
all could do with him. He didn't wait for
any more trouble put pursued his way North.
old duck comes auacking along; and I've
shot him till | know he must be half full of
lead. but can't bring him down. Generally.
you find big duck leading Il whole flock.
keeping his place at the apex Of the triangle,
they form in their flight. but this old fellow
travels alone. Doubtless he has his sweet
hearts here and there along the line of his
route, but he shuns all society while on his
aerial voyages.
Il have been laying for him for a week
past, and yesterday when lie came piling
down dow from the North, was ready ' with WIZ" 4
new gun and shells loaded with No. chill ed
! shot
| saiu to myself as he swooped down within
| easy reach of me. and then ] let loose Mt
him in earnest. shot at him three times.
the last shot certainly taking effect on his
| side, but the tough old rascal managed to
| flap away and suppose by this time he is
pretty near to Texas.
Il don't know what to make Of that bird
| can say without Boosting that am good
| shot. but can't do anything with this phe-
| nOmena fowl | think there must be duck
doctor somewhere down South who patches
| up my old friend and fits him for running
| the gauntlet with mo.
| But I'm going to get that duck some
day. I've got that big green feather stuck
up over my desk, and I'm bound TO have
the rest Of them II / have to use Calling
gun.