ng at Malvern Hill our ammunition was running
low, and I was sent to the rear for powder.

"I had an open express wagon and four mules. I got about a ton and a half
of loose powder into the wagon and started for the front. About half-way
back to my battery a rebel shell landed right in the middle of the powder,
and, would you believe it, it burned up a bushel and a half before I could
stamp out the fire!"--_Boston Herald._

VITALITY OF A DUCK.

A correspondent at West Point writes as follows:

"Some time since, while out ducking on Dividing Creek, a tributary of
Chesapeake Bay, a hen duck, known as the dipper species, came within easy
range of my gun. I discharged both barrels, completely covering and
breaking her wing with No. 4 shot.

"Being determined to capture the game, a friend and myself secured a boat
and went in pursuit. Getting again in gunshot reach, I discharged two more
barrels, killing the duck to all appearances.

"We picked her up and removed the feathers and entrails, cut her head off
and put her in the water for the purpose of washing the blood off, when,
to our astonishment, she swam away, giving us another pursuit, which was
successful after some trouble. I can prove this."--_Richmond Dispatch._

JUNE, THE MONTH OF BATTLES.

In the Season of Roses Have Been Fought Some of the Most Sanguinary and
Decisive Contests of Modern Times--It Was a Period Fatal to Charles I
and Napoleon.

Though June is frequently called the "Month of Roses," it might with just
as much propriety be designated the "Month of Battles." In it have been
fought some of the most memorable battles of history. Among these were
Naseby, Bunker Hill, Marengo, and Waterloo. In the following list will be
found the names of some of the more important engagements that have been
fought in this month:

June.

1. Lord Howe defeated and almost
destroyed the French fleet 1794

The British frigate Shannon captures
the American frigate Chesapeake,
off Boston 1813

McClellan defeated the Confederates
at Fair Oaks, Virginia 1862

2. The Reign of Terror began 1793

3. Admiral Blake's decisive defeat of
Van Tromp 1653

Lee defeated Grant at Cold Harbor 1864

Hobson sank the Merrimac in
Santiago Harbor 1898