Part 25 (1/2)

Frank raised his gun to his shoulder, and, as soon as they came within range, he pulled the trigger, and brought down two geese--one stone-dead, and the other with a broken wing. Hardly waiting to see the effect of the shot, he fired his second barrel at the flock, just as they were disappearing over the tops of the trees. They had flown so high, that he hardly expected the shot would prove effective. To his surprise, one of the flock gradually fell behind, and, after trying in vain to support itself, fell slowly through the air, until it almost reached the water; then it seemed to regain the power of using its wings, and began to fly more regularly.

”Try your gun again, Archie,” said Frank; ”I'm afraid we are going to lose him.”

Archie accordingly drew a bead on the goose, but with no better success, and the bird speedily disappeared over the trees.

”Confound my luck!” exclaimed Archie, impatiently. ”I'll try and keep my powder dry after this.”

”He can't fly far,” said Frank. ”Let's be lively, and we will have him yet. Here, Brave!” he continued, pointing to the geese in the lake, ”fetch 'em out!”

Brave plunged into the water, and made toward the nearest of the geese, which happened to be the one Frank had wounded. As soon as the bird saw him approaching, instead of trying to save himself by flight, he raised himself in the water, elevated his uninjured wing, and set up a loud hiss. But these hostile demonstrations, instead of intimidating the Newfoundlander, served rather to enrage him, and he kept on, with open mouth, ready to seize the game. The moment he came within reach, the goose thrust out his long neck, and, catching Brave by the ear, dealt him a hard blow over the head with his wing. But he did not have time to repeat it, for the dog gave a loud, angry yelp, and, springing forward in the water, seized the goose, and killed it with a single bite; then, turning round, he swam back to the sh.o.r.e, deposited the game at his master's feet, and again plunged in to bring out the others.

”I wonder who that is on the other side of the lake?” said Archie.

”I guess it's Bill Johnson,” answered Frank, who had reloaded his gun, and stood holding it in the hollow of his arm. ”I saw a dog that looked very much like his bringing out the geese. There he is now!”

And as he spoke the boy stepped out of the bushes, and a loud, shrill whistle echoed across the lake.

”That's Bill,” said Archie. ”Hallo!” he continued, raising his voice so that William could hear; ”wait for us at Uncle Mike's--will you?”

”All right,” shouted William, in reply.

And, gathering up his game, he again disappeared in the bushes.

By this time Brave had brought out the last of the geese, and Archie had succeeded in shooting off the wet charge; so they started back toward the road.

Frank led the way, carrying three of the geese; Brave followed close at his heels, carrying the fourth; and Archie brought up the rear, loading his gun as he went.

An hour's walk brought them to Uncle Mike's, where they found William sitting on the fence, waiting for them.

”What luck?” inquired Archie, as they came up.

”Only two,” answered William; ”but you have been more fortunate.”

”Yes,” said Archie, ”we've got four; and Frank wounded another so badly that he can't fly far. We are going to look for him in the creek, as we go along.”

”And I hope we shall get him,” said Frank; ”for he was the largest of the flock, and I want him for our museum.”

The boys walked slowly down the creek, keeping a good look-out for the wounded bird among the reeds along the bank; but they reached the cottage without seeing any signs of him.

”I'm afraid we've lost him,” said Archie.

”I'm sorry,” said Frank, ”for he was a nice, big fellow. Let's go back; perhaps we've overlooked him. I am certain that he could not have flown to the river.”

At this moment a slight splas.h.i.+ng in the water, on the opposite side of the creek, attracted their attention, and they discovered their game swimming slowly about among the reeds, as if trying to find some place of concealment.

”Now, Archie,” said Frank, dropping the b.u.t.t of his gun to the ground, ”there's a chance for you to retrieve your lost reputation.”

”And I'll take advantage of it,” said Archie, raising his gun to his shoulder.