Year: 1875

An American gentleman travelling IN
Japan has given the following account
Of duck hunt in which he participated
some time ago, some features of which
will doubtless strike the American
sportsman as novel;


The other day / went on a wild duck
hunt with my interpreter and one guard.
We started early, and, proceeding
through the rice fields for some distance,
crossed low line OF hills lying to the
north, and passed up fertile valley
about four miles to village where the
people had made preparations for
grand duck hunt in anticipation of our
coming. Near by was a small lake, snug
among the hills and near the base of
mountain called the Dragons Clan
1t was a most picturesque place, with
pine grove skirting the margin of the
water, and clumps of bushes and reeds
scattered along in various places. The
entire surface Of the lake was covered
with ducks, while clouds of them how
cred over the trees and wheeled to and
fro in wild confusion. The whole neigh
borhood was literally alive with them.
This lake had long been the resort of
ducks, but the people had never allowed
a gun to be fred in the neighborhood =,
and had contented themselves with now
and then catching few with nets. The
consequence was that the ducks had
never known what it was to be shot at
and we're comparatively tame. When it
was known that was coming there to
hunt the customary order was revoked,
and everybody was given permission to
come with his gun and join in the sport.
The men had constructed low mounds
of pine branches, resembling Esquimaux
huts, along the edge of the lake and at
the points most frequented by the fowls.
AS soon as each one Of us got fairly set
tied, either in mound or under tree
or bush. we began to shoot at the inno-
cent ducks which lay in thick masses
before us. AS the first shot echoed
among the hills myriad of quacking
creatures rose in one great cloud from
the surface of the water, and for time
the air was completely filled with them.


" | never before saw such a spectacle;
the sky seemed darkened with feathered
fugitiyes, and the noise made by their
wings was like that of a mighty rushing
wind. Especially wild was the noise as
one flock after another wheeled directly
over my head; then they suddenly turned
short curve, their white breasts flashed
for q moment in the sun, and the rapid
motion of their wings made a breeze
like great fan upon the face. They had
not learned yet what the sound of gun
meant, and as no person was to be seen
they ere long settled again quietly on
the water.


Another volley soon started them up
again, however, and they rose into the
air leaving many of their dead and
wounded companions on the surface of
the lake, Now their fight became swift
and broken, and as they passed close
above our heads we fred indiscrimi-
nately into their midst, causing the
hocks to scatter in frightened confusion.
The poor things knew not what to do;
the lake had always been their quiet
home, and they knew not whittier to flee.
So, as none Of their cruel enemies were
in sight, down they came upon the death
laden surface of the water. They were
completely tired out, and as shot after
shot skipped along beside them, they
only shook their heads and remained
where they were. The firing continued
the whole morning, and the waters
around their formerly peaceful retreat
were Redeemed with the fruits of the
bloody slaughter.


At one time during the day, while
somewhat withdrawn from the party, |
heard peculiar whir-r of something
in the air, and turning quickly saw a
bullet strike the bank beside me. A
shower Of mud was splattered over me,
and at a little distance Japanese man
was in full flight. There was nothing
near me for proper target, and there
is little doubt that this was manifesto
ton of the bitter hostility to all foreign
ers for which, have since learned, this
neighborhood is noted. At that very
time many Of the inhabitants had shut
themselves up in their houses in fierce
rage at the idea of detested Tojin's


being entertained among them.