Rod and gun . blank films when I misswith the camera—but more had fallen as we paddled slowlyacross the calm Inlet. Long lines ofducks swam sidling away from us. Wewere trj-ing to distinguish the varietiesby the way they leaped or the noise theymade in getting under way—not so diffi-cult as it seems. Every flock of mallardsannounced their breed by loudly quack-ing. The teal jumped with so littlesplash and so light a fanning of thewings that we usuallv guessed them cor- usual custom. It seemed fairly to knew the tide was running out, butin the semi-darkness this sound
Rod and gun . blank films when I misswith the camera—but more had fallen as we paddled slowlyacross the calm Inlet. Long lines ofducks swam sidling away from us. Wewere trj-ing to distinguish the varietiesby the way they leaped or the noise theymade in getting under way—not so diffi-cult as it seems. Every flock of mallardsannounced their breed by loudly quack-ing. The teal jumped with so littlesplash and so light a fanning of thewings that we usuallv guessed them cor- usual custom. It seemed fairly to knew the tide was running out, butin the semi-darkness this sound mademe, as steersman, sit up and strain for-ward in the canoe to locate the cause ofthe much increased confusion. A mo-ment more and the good old Rice Lakecanoe swept off the tide flats into theswiftly ebbing tide channel. Instantly there was a mighty leaping,splashing, struggling host of salmon allabout us. The slim craft swept so swift-ly into this crowded water wav that we. Spawning Coho Salmon on the riifle. rectly. The widgeons always gave them-selves awaj b}- their sweet short calls,a-peet-a-peet. The low, swift, strong,rising flight marked the blue-bills, thedeep notes of the whistling of the wingsany of the three surf ducks. The cootand the coween both fooled us constant-ly, unless the former pattered or the lat-ter called kla-how-yah (a salutationgood-day in the Chinook or Coastjargon.) Ahead of us the tide rippledmore noisily in its channel than was its were in constant collision with the Co-hoes and Dog Salmon that swam, await-ing the next tide to ascend the we were both assured there wasno danger there was plenty of excite-ment whenever we struck a speciallythick mass and they leaped and swamaway before us, as does the water be-fore a falling stone. With bare trollinghooks sweeping behind us we could soonhave loaded our sixteen footer. Had thedate been later in the year and the plank- A THAXKSGIVIXG DAY OX VAXCOUVER ISLAXD 643 ton fi
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectf, booksubjecthunting
