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Page 24
MORAL 1.--Before undertaking any enterprise similar to this cider-plot, it
is desirable to count the cost.
MORAL 2.--In your pursuit after glory, take care that you do not come in
contact with something else that is not so pleasant.
* * * * *
STORY FIFTH.
MY FIRST HUNTING-EXCURSION.
I shall never forget the first time I sallied out into the woods to try my
hand at hunting. Carlo, the old family dog, went with me, and he was about
as green in the matter of securing game as myself. We were pretty well
matched, I think. I played the part of Hudibras, as nearly as I can
recollect, and Carlo was a second Ralph. I had a most excellent
fowling-piece--so they said. It began its career in the French war, and was
a very veteran in service. Besides this ancient and honorable weapon, I was
provided with all the means and appliances necessary for successful
hunting. I was "armed and equipped as the law directs," to employ the words
of those semi-annual documents that used to summon me to training.
Well, it was sometime before we--Carlo and I--started any game. Wind-mills
were scarce. For one, I began to fear we should have to return without any
adventure to call forth our skill and courage. But the brightest time is
often just before day, and so it was in this instance. Carlo began
presently to bark, and I heard a slight rustling among the leaves in the
woods. Sure enough, there was visible a large animal of some kind, though I
could not determine precisely what it was, on account of the underbrush.
However, I satisfied myself that it was rare game, at any rate; and that
point being settled, I took aim and fired.
Carlo immediately ran to the poor victim. He was a courageous fellow, that
Carlo, especially after the danger was over. Many a time I have known him
make demonstrations as fierce as a tiger when people rode by our house,
though he generally took care not to insult them until they were at a
convenient distance. Carlo had no notion of being killed, knowing very well
that if he were dead, he could be of no service whatever to the world.
Hudibras said well when he said,
"That he who fights and runs away,
May live to fight another day."
[Illustration: RODERICK'S FIRST SHOT.]
That was good logic. But Carlo went farther than this, even. He was for
running away before he fought at all; and so he always did, except when the
enemy ran away first, in which case he ran after him, as every chivalrous
dog should. In the case of the animal which I shot at, Carlo bounded to his
side when the gun was discharged, as I said before. For myself, I did not
venture quite so soon, remembering that caution is the parent of safety. By
and by, however, I mustered courage, and advanced to the spot. There lay
the victim of my first shot! It was one of my father's sheep! Poor
creature! She was sick, I believe, and went into a thicket, near a stream
of water, where she could die in peace.
I don't know whether I hit her or not. I didn't look to see, but ran home
as fast as my legs would carry me. Thus ended the first hunting excursion
in which I ever engaged, and, though I was a mere boy then, and am somewhat
advanced now, it proved to be my last.
SATURDAY IN WINTER.
I.
Our tasks are all done, come away! come away!
For a right merry time--for a Saturday play.
See! the bright sun is shining right bravely on high;
Make haste, or he'll soon be half over the sky.
Come! first with our sleds down the glassy hill side,
And then on our skates o'er the river we'll glide.
II.
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