but the wild ducks are a lot
more particular about the live decoys than about the wooden. A wooden
decoy can be all knocked to pieces, faded and generally disreputable,
but it does well enough; but a live decoy must look the part absolutely.
That gives us six apiece; I think it will be enough."

Redmond took charge of our capture. We left him with the lantern,
stowing away the decoys, live and inanimate, in the Invigorator. Within
fifteen minutes thereafter I was sleeping the sleep of the moderately
tired and the fully fed.

CHAPTER VIII

DUCKS

The Captain rapped on my door. It was pitch dark, and the wind, which
had arisen during the night, was sweeping through the open windows,
blowing the light curtains about. Also it was very cold.

"All right," I answered, took my resolution in my hands, and stepped
forth.

Ten minutes later, by the light of a single candle, we were manipulating
the coffee-and-egg machine, and devouring the tall pile of
bread-and-butter sandwiches that had been left for us over night. Then,
stepping as softly as we could in our clumping rubber boots, our arms
burdened with guns and wraps, we stole into the outer darkness.

It was almost black, but we could dimly make out the treetops whipped
about by the wind. Over by the stable we caught the intermittent flashes
of many lanterns where the teamsters were feeding their stock. Presently
a merry and vigorous _rattle_--_rattle_--_rattle_ arose and came nearer.
The Invigorator was ready and under way.

We put on all the coats and sweaters, and climbed aboard. The Captain
spoke to his horses, and we were off.

That morning I had my first experience of a phenomenon I have never
ceased admiring--and wondering at. I refer to the Captain's driving in
the dark.

The night was absolutely black, so that I could hardly make out the
horses. In all the world were only two elements, the sky full of stars
and the mass of the earth. The value of this latter, as a means of
showing us where we were, was nullified by the fact that the skyline
consisted, not of recognizable and serviceable landmarks, but of the
distant mountains. We went a certain length of time, and bumped over a
certain number of things. Then the Captain pulled his team sharp around
to the left. Why he did so I could not tell you. We drove an hour over a
meandering course.

"Hang tight," remarked the Captain.

I did so. The front end of the Invigorator immediately fell away fro