Popular Adventure Tales

by Mayne Reid

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  AN ODD SORT OF DECOY-DUCK.

  Two days after the adventure with the blaireau, the young voyageursarrived at Cumberland House--one of the most celebrated posts of theHudson's Bay Company. The chief factor, who resided there, was a friendof Norman's father, and of course the youths were received with thewarmest hospitality, and entertained during their stay in the bestmanner the place afforded. They did not make a long stay, however, asthey wished to complete their journey before the winter should set in,when canoe-travelling would become impossible.

  During winter, not only the lakes, but the most rapid rivers of theseNorthern regions, become frozen up, and remain so for many months.Nearly the whole surface of the earth is buried under deep snow, andtravelling can only be done with snow-shoes, or with sledges drawn bydogs. These are the modes practised by the Indians, the Esquimaux, andthe few white traders and trappers who have occasion in winter to passfrom one point to another of that icy and desolate region.

  Travelling under such circumstances is not only difficult and laborious,but is extremely perilous. Food cannot always be obtained--supplies fallshort, or become exhausted--game is scarce, or cannot be found at all,as at that season many of the quadrupeds and most of the birds haveforsaken the country, and migrated to the South--and whole parties oftravellers--even Indians, who can eat anything living or dead, roast orraw--often perish from hunger.

  Our travellers were well acquainted with these facts; and being anxious,therefore, to get to the end of their journey before the winter shouldcome down upon them, made all haste to proceed. Of course they obtaineda new "outfit" at the Fort; but they took with them only such articlesas were absolutely necessary, as they had many portages to make beforethey could reach the waters of the Mackenzie River. As it required twoof the party to carry the canoe, with a few little things besides, allthe baggage was comprised in such loads as the others could manage; andof course that was not a great deal, for Francois was but a lad, andLucien was far from being in robust health. A light axe, a few cookingutensils, with a small stock of provisions, and of course their guns,formed the bulk of their loads.

  After leaving the Fort they kept for several days' journey up theSaskatchewan. They then took leave of that river, and ascended a smallstream that emptied into it from the north. Making their first portageover a "divide," they reached another small stream that ran in quite adifferent direction, emptying itself into one of the branches of theMississippi, or Churchill River. Following this in a north-westerlycourse, and making numerous other portages, they reached Lake La Crosse,and afterwards in succession, Lakes Clear, Buffalo, and Methy.

  A long "portage" from the last-mentioned lake brought them to the headof a stream known as the "Clear Water;" and launching their canoe uponthis, they floated down to its mouth, and entered the main stream of theElk, or Athabasca, one of the most beautiful rivers of America. Theywere now in reality upon the waters of the Mackenzie itself, for theElk, after passing through the Athabasca takes from thence the name ofSlave River, and having traversed Great Slave Lake, becomes theMackenzie--under which name it continues on to the Arctic Ocean.

  Having got, therefore, upon the main head-water of the stream which theyintended to traverse, they floated along in their canoe with lighthearts and high hopes. It is true they had yet fifteen hundred miles totravel, but they believed that it was all down-hill work now; and asthey had still nearly two months of summer before them, they doubted notbeing able to accomplish the voyage in good time.

  On they floated down stream, feasting their eyes as they went--for thescenery of the Elk valley is of a most picturesque and pleasingcharacter; and the broad bosom of the stream itself, studded with woodedislands, looked to our travellers more like a continuation of lakes thana running river. Now they glided along without using an oar, borneonward by the current; then they would take a spell at the paddles,while the beautiful Canadian boat-song could be heard as it came fromthe tiny craft, and the appropriate chorus "Row, brothers, row!" echoedfrom the adjacent shores. No part of their journey was more pleasantthan while descending the romantic Elk.

  They found plenty of fresh provisions, both in the stream itself and onits banks. They caught salmon in the water, and the silver-colouredhyodon, known among the voyageurs by the name of "Dore." They shot bothducks and geese, and roast-duck or goose had become an everyday dinnerwith them. Of the geese there were several species. There were"snow-geese," so called from their beautiful white plumage; and"laughing geese," that derive their name from the circumstance thattheir call resembles the laugh of a man.

  The Indians decoy these by striking their open hand repeatedly over themouth while uttering the syllable "wah." They also saw the "Brentgoose," a well-known species, and the "Canada goose," which is the _wildgoose par excellence_. Another species resembling the latter, called the"barnacle goose," was seen by our travellers. Besides these, Lucieninformed them that there were several other smaller kinds that inhabitthe northern countries of America. These valuable birds are objects ofgreat interest to the people of the fur countries for months in theyear. Whole tribes of Indians look to them as a means of support.

  With regard to ducks, there was one species which our travellers had notyet met with, and for which they were every day upon the look-out. Thiswas the far-famed "canvass-back," so justly celebrated among theepicures of America. None of them had ever eaten of it, as it is notknown in Louisiana, but only upon the Atlantic coast of the UnitedStates. Norman, however, had heard of its existence in the RockyMountains--where it is said to breed--as well as in other parts of thefur countries, and they were in hopes that they might fall in with itupon the waters of the Athabasca.

  Lucien was, of course, well acquainted with its "biography," and couldhave recognised one at sight; and as they glided along he volunteered togive his companions some information, not only about this particularspecies, but about the whole genus of these interesting birds.

  "The canvass-back," began he, "is perhaps the most celebrated andhighly-prized of all the ducks, on account of the exquisite flavour ofits flesh--which is thought by some epicures to be superior to that ofall other birds. It is not a large duck--rarely weighing over threepounds--and its plumage is far from equalling in beauty that of manyother species. It has a red or chestnut-coloured head, a shining blackbreast, while the greater part of its body is of a greyish colour; butupon close examination this grey is found to be produced by a whitishground minutely mottled with zig-zag black lines. I believe it is thismottling, combined with the colour, which somewhat resembles theappearance and texture of ship's canvass, that has given the bird itstrivial name; but there is some obscurity about the origin of this.

  "Shooting the canvass-backs is a source of profit to hundreds of gunnerswho live around the Chesapeake Bay, as these birds command a high pricein the markets of the American cities. Disputes have arisen between thefowlers of different States around the Bay about the right of shootingupon it; and vessels full of armed men--ready to make war upon oneanother--have gone out on this account. But the government of theseStates succeeded in settling the matter peacefully, and to thesatisfaction of all parties."

  The canoe at this moment shot round a bend, and a long smooth expanse ofthe river appeared before the eyes of our voyageurs. They could see thatupon one side another stream ran in, with a very sluggish current; andaround the mouth of this, and for a good stretch below it, thereappeared a green sedge-like water-grass, or rushes. Near the border ofthis sedge, and in a part of it that was thin, a flock of wild fowl wasdiving and feeding. They were small, and evidently ducks; but thedistance was yet too great for the boys to make out to what species theybelonged.

  A single large swan--a trumpeter--was upon the water, between the shoreand the ducks, and was gradually making towards the latter. Francoisimmediately loaded one of his barrels with swan, or rather "buck" shot,and Basil looked to his rifle. The ducks were not thought of--thetrumpeter was to be the game. Lucien took out his telescope, an
dcommenced observing the flock. They had not intended to use anyprecaution in approaching the birds, as they were not extremely anxiousabout getting a shot, and were permitting the canoe to glide gentlytowards them.

  An exclamation from Lucien, however, caused them to change theirtactics. He directed them suddenly to "hold water," and stop the canoe,at the same time telling them that the birds ahead were the very sortabout which they had been conversing--the "canvass-backs." He had nodoubt of it, judging from their colour, size, and peculiar movements.

  The announcement produced a new excitement. All four were desirous notonly of shooting, but of _eating_, a canvass-back; and arrangements wereset about to effect the former. It was known to all that thecanvass-backs are among the shyest of water-fowl, so much so that it isdifficult to approach them unless under cover. While feeding, it issaid, they keep sentinels on the look-out. Whether this be true or not,it is certain that they never all dive together, some always remainingabove water, and apparently watching while the others are under.

  A plan to get near them was necessary, and one was suggested by Norman,which was to tie bushes around the sides of the canoe, so as to hideboth the vessel and those in it. This plan was at once adopted--thecanoe was paddled up to the bank--thick bushes were cut, and tied alongthe gunwale; and then our voyageurs climbed in, and laying themselves aslow as possible, commenced paddling gently downward in the direction ofthe ducks. The rifles were laid aside, as they could be of littleservice with such game. Francois' double-barrel was the arm upon whichdependence was now placed; and Francois himself leaned forward in thebow in order to be ready, while the others attended to the guidance ofthe vessel. The buckshot had been drawn out, and a smaller kindsubstituted. The swan was no longer cared for or even thought of.

  In about a quarter of an hour's time, the canoe, gliding silently alongthe edge of the sedge--which was the wild celery--came near the placewhere the ducks were; and the boys, peeping through the leafy screen,could now see the birds plainly. They saw that they were not allcanvass-backs, but that three distinct kinds of ducks were feedingtogether. One sort was the canvass-backs themselves, and a second kindvery much resembled them, except that they were a size smaller. Thesewere the "red-heads" or "pochards."

  The third species was different from either. They had also heads of areddish colour, but of a brighter red, and marked by a white band thatran from the root of the bill over the crown. This mark enabled Lucienat once to tell the species. They were widgeons; but the most singularthing that was now observed by our voyageurs was the terms upon whichthese three kinds of birds lived with each other. It appeared that thewidgeon obtained its food by a regular system of robbery and plunderperpetrated upon the community of the canvass-backs. The latter, asLucien explained, feeds upon the roots of the valisneria; but for theseit is obliged to dive to the depth of four or five feet, and also tospend some time at the bottom while plucking them up. Now the widgeon isas fond of the "celery" as the canvass-back, but the former is not adiver--in fact, never goes under water except when washing itself or inplay, and it has therefore no means of procuring the desired roots.Mark, then, the plan that it takes to effect this end.

  Seated as near as is safe to the canvass-back, it waits until the lattermakes his _somersault_ and goes down. It (the widgeon) then dartsforward so as to be sufficiently close, and, pausing again, scans thesurface with eager eye. It can tell where the other is at work, as theblades of the plant at which it is tugging are seen to move above thewater. These at length disappear, pulled down as the plant is draggedfrom its root, and almost at the same instant the canvass-back comes upholding the root between his mandibles.

  But the widgeon is ready for him. He has calculated the exact spot wherethe other will rise; and, before the latter can open his eyes or getthem clear of the water, the widgeon darts forward, snatches theluscious morsel from his bill, and makes off with it. Conflictssometimes ensue; but the widgeon, knowing himself to be the lesser andweaker bird, never stands to give battle, but secures his prize throughhis superior agility. On the other hand, the canvass-back rarelyattempts to follow him, as he knows that the other is swifter upon thewater than he. He only looks after his lost root with an air of chagrin,and then, reflecting that there is "plenty more where it came from,"kicks up its heels, and once more plunges to the bottom.

  The red-head rarely interferes with either, as he is contented to feedupon the leaves and stalks, at all times floating in plenty upon thesurface.

  As the canoe glided near, those on board watched these curious manoeuvresof the birds with feelings of interest. They saw, moreover, that the"trumpeter" had arrived among them, and the ducks seemed to take nonotice of him. Lucien was struck with something unusual in theappearance of the swan. Its plumage seemed ruffled and on end, and itglided along in a stiff and unnatural manner. It moved its neck neitherto one side nor the other, but held its head bent forward, until itsbill almost touched the water, in the attitude that these birds adoptwhen feeding upon something near the surface. Lucien said nothing to hiscompanions, as they were all silent, lest they might frighten the ducks;but Basil and Norman had also remarked the strange look and conduct ofthe trumpeter. Francois' eyes were bent only upon the ducks, and he didnot heed the other.

  As they came closer, first Lucien, and then Basil and Norman, sawsomething else that puzzled them. Whenever the swan approached any ofthe ducks, these were observed to disappear under the water. At first,the boys thought that they merely dived to get out of his way, but itwas not exactly in the same manner as the others were diving for theroots. Moreover, none of those that went down in the neighbourhood ofthe swan were seen to come up again!

  There was something very odd in all this, and the three boys, thinkingso at the same time, were about to communicate their thoughts to oneanother, when the double crack of Francois' gun drove the thing, for amoment, out of their heads; and they all looked over the bushes to seehow many canvass-backs had been killed. Several were seen dead orfluttering along the surface; but no one counted them, for a strange,and even terrible, object now presented itself to the astonished sensesof all. If the conduct of the swan had been odd before, it was nowdoubly so.

  Instead of flying off after the shot, as all expected it would do, itwas now seen to dance and plunge about on the water, uttering loudscreams, that resembled the human voice far more than any other sounds!Then it rose as if pitched into the air, and fell on its back somedistance off; while in its place was seen a dark, round object movingthrough the water, as if making for the bank, and uttering, as it went,the same hideous human-like screams!

  This dark object was no other than the poll of a human being; and theriver shallowing towards the bank, it rose higher and higher above thewater, until the boys could distinguish the glistening neck and nakedshoulders of a red and brawny Indian! All was now explained. The Indianhad been duck-hunting, and had used the stuffed skin of the swan as hisdisguise; and hence the puzzling motions of the bird. He had not noticedthe canoe--concealed as it was--until the loud crack of Francois' gunhad startled him from his work.

  This, and the heads and white faces of the boys peeping over the bushes,had frightened him, even more than he had them. Perhaps they were thefirst white faces he had ever seen. But, whether or not, sadlyfrightened he was; for, on reaching the bank, he did not stop, but ranoff into the woods, howling and yelling as if Old Nick had been afterhim: and no doubt he believed that such was the case.

  The travellers picked up the swan-skin put of curiosity; and, inaddition to the ducks which Francois had killed, they found nearly ascore of these birds, which the Indian had dropped in his fright, andthat had afterwards risen to the surface. These were strung together,and all had their necks broken.

  After getting them aboard, the canoe was cleared of the bushes; and thepaddles being once more called into service, the little craft shot downstream like an arrow.