m far up the lake? Dick, the practical, was the first to
catch sight of it, for Phil was standing like one in a trance gazing at
the scene with a retrospective look in his eyes that seemed to say his
thoughts were far away. As Dick watched the approaching cloud-like film
it resolved itself into a flock of wild ducks, making, as it seemed,
directly for the patch of rushes near which the two were standing, and,
with the momentous question of supper looming large in his mind,
Chichester plucked his companion by the sleeve, pointed to the
approaching wild ducks, and suggested the propriety of immediately
seeking some hiding-place until the birds had settled.

"A murrain on you and your ducks, Dick!" exclaimed Stukely, in a tone
half-pettish, half-playful; "you have jolted me out of a reverie in
which I was endeavouring to account for the extraordinary feeling that
sometime in the past I have beheld this very scene, even as I behold it
now. Of course I know that it is only a fancy; I know that I have never
before stood on the soil which my feet are pressing at this moment; yet,
believe me or not, as you please, all this"--he waved his right hand
before him to right and left--"is absolutely familiar to me, as familiar
as though I had lived here all my life! Nothing is changed, except that
the clumps of bush seem to have approached a little closer to the margin
of the lake, and--yes, you see that low bluff yonder? Well, when I last
looked upon it--oh, well! never mind; you are laughing at me, and I have
no right to be surprised that you should do so; but, all the same, I
know exactly where we are now; I know that there are islands out there
on the lake, beyond the horizon, and I know which of them it is that we
must visit--I shall recognise it instantly when I see it; remember my
words. And now, come along, and let us see whether we can get one or
two of those ducks; they seem to be making for the reeds yonder."

The pair crept down to the margin of the patch of reeds, and concealed
themselves therein; and scarcely had they done so when the flock came
sweeping along with a great rush of wings, wheeled, and finally settled,
with loud quacks--probably of satisfaction that their day's work was
over, and that they were once more back in their haven of rest. Then
the two muskets--which the wanderers had tenaciously retained throughout
their perilous journey across the mountains--barked out their death
message simultaneously,