The
unsuspecting birds, deceived into full security, eagerly pursued their
pastime or their prey, and it was no difficult matter for the hidden archer
to hit many a black duck or teal or whistlewing, as it floated securely on
the placid water, or rose to shift its place a few yards up or down the
stream. Soon the lake around was strewed with the feathered game, which
Wolfe, cheered on by Lewis, who was stationed on the shore, brought to
land.
Indiana told Hector that this was the season when the Indians made great
gatherings on the lake for duck-shooting, which they pursued much after the
same fashion as that which has been described, only instead of one, a dozen
or more canoes would be thus disguised with boughs, with others stationed
at different parts of the lake, or under the shelter of the island, to
collect the birds. This sport was generally finished by a great feast.
The Indians offered the first of the birds as an oblation to the Great
Spirit, as a grateful acknowledgment of his bounty in having allowed them
to gather food thus plentifully for their families; sometimes distant
tribes with whom they were on terms of friendship were invited to share the
sport and partake of the spoils.
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