The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-16

away, and the wind with us, too?" was the
incredulous reply.
How ever. perfect quiet was maintained,
the canoe moved slowly along close to the
shore, little wooded cape was reached
which commanded the point, and peeping
across 1t the hunters made out a great
flock Of between eighty and hutdred
redhead ducks.
All unsusnecting Of danger, the brown
and white birds which had probably Seen
Matched in that sequest cred spot far or1 OF
sight of men. were lying basking in the
sun or were idly standing about at the
edge Of the water, At over seventy-fve
yards range the hunters opened fire, Mac
obedientlv remaining at heel
The ducks speedily took wing, and in their
confusion actually flew low down, directly
over the guns, which took toll OF them as
they passed by. Wheeling about from
the shock Of the report they took to the
water in the bay between the two points
right in front Of the ambush, where again
the shot reached them
Before the badly frightened flock had
become calm enough to choose the path
OF safety and make straight of across the
lake, ten volleys had been fired, and with
Macs help twenty-five ducks were gath
cred in
But for the dogs pointing-which was
for him new accomplishment-th
canoe would have gone on its not very
quiet fishing course, right up to the place
where the ducks lay, and there would have
been little opportunity Of shooting any
Of them.
dN0 fnI not 10 ,fa hn
again, but followed back toward camp
along the shore. About half wav home h I,
yelped and howled, as though in trouble,
and his masters made their way to his
assistance as speedily as possible.
He was discovered some distance from
the water, in fierce. II not mortal, combat
was tapping him about the head with his
powerful wings, while Mac, though he
must have been half stunned, was making
gallant endeavors to secure a more SUBJ
stantial hold upon his enemy than the
feathers with which his mouth was fringed
afforded him.
1t was impossible to shoot at the angry
gander for fear OF injuring the dog His
master therefore whistled and called to
Mao, when he obediently tried to make
toward his friends, who held their guns at
the ready. The enemy in his mad rage
kept up with him until within few feet
OF the hunters, when he derisively thrust
out his snake-lil,e heed and neck and Missed
IN their direction
At the moment both men fired from the
hip. and the gander fell, tapping vigor-
ously and convulsively. He was badly
torn with the shot down to the wings, but
was Of such immense size and strength that
the gunners congratulated themselves upon
the simultaneous impulse which had sent
two charges Of lead into him.
In all probability the cunning bird had
sought shelter on land when the noise
of the duck shooting reached him. and
was hiding in the bush, when scented out.
and bounced upon by the energetic little
setter.
That evening" just as the last OF the
daylight was fading away, the men and dog
we're lounging In the tent with the front
flaps thrown open, that they might enjoy
the fire which was blazing alongside. All
at once Mac whimpered, and without rising
from the ground, again became rigid, his
outstretched muzzle pointing toward the
lake.
The hunters laid themselves fat upon
their blankets. and looking toward the
glimmer OF the setting sun, indistinctly