The Young Voyageurs | Page 9

to his

companions as they floated along. Norman listened with astonishment
to his philosophic cousin, who, although he had never been in this
region before, knew more of its plants and trees than he did himself.
Basil also was interested in the explanations given by his brother. On
the contrary, Francois, who cared but little for botanical studies, or
studies of any sort, was occupied differently. He sat near the middle of
the canoe, double-barrel in hand, eagerly watching for a shot. Many
species of water-fowl were upon the river, for it was now late in the
spring, and the wild geese and ducks had all arrived, and were passing
northward upon their annual migration. During the day Francois had
got several shots, and had "bagged" three wild geese, all of different
kinds, for there are many species of wild geese in America. He had also
shot some ducks. But this did not satisfy him. There was a bird upon the
river that could not be approached. No matter how the canoe was
manoeuvred, this shy creature always took flight before Francois could
get within range. For days he had been endeavouring to kill one. Even
upon the Saint Peter's many of them had been seen, sometimes in pairs,
at other times in small flocks of six or seven, but always shy and wary.
The very difficulty of getting a shot at them, along with the splendid
character of the birds themselves, had rendered Francois eager to
obtain one. The bird itself was no other than the great wild swan--the
king of aquatic birds.
"Come, brother!" said Francois, addressing Lucien, "bother your
viburnums and your oxycocks! Tell us something about these swans.
See! there goes another of them! What a splendid fellow he is! I'd give
something to have him within range of buck-shot."
As Francois spoke he pointed down-stream to a great white bird that
was seen moving out from the bank. It was a swan, and one of the very
largest kind--a "trumpeter" (Cygnus buccinator).
It had been feeding in a sedge of the wild rice (Zizania aquatica), and
no doubt the sight of the canoe or the plash of the guiding oar had
disturbed, and given it the alarm. It shot out from the reeds with head
erect and wings slightly raised, offering to the eyes of the voyageurs a
spectacle of graceful and majestic bearing, that, among the feathered

race at least, is quite inimitable.
A few strokes of its broad feet propelled it into the open water near the
middle of the stream, when, making a half wheel, it turned head down
the river, and swam with the current.
At the point where it turned it was not two hundred yards ahead of the
canoe. Its apparent boldness in permitting them to come so near
without taking wing, led Francois to hope that they might get still
nearer; and, begging his companions to ply the paddles, he seized hold
of his double-barrel, and leaned forward in the canoe. Basil also
conceived a hope that a shot was to be had, for he took up his rifle, and
looked to the cock and cap. The others went steadily and quietly to
work at the oars. In a few moments the canoe cleft the current at the
rate of a galloping horse, and one would have supposed that the swan
must either at once take wing or be overtaken.
Not so, however. The "trumpeter" knew his game better than that. He
had full confidence both in his strength and speed upon the water. He
was not going to undergo the trouble of a fly, until the necessity arose
for so doing; and, as it was, he seemed to be satisfied that that
necessity had not yet arrived. The swim cost him much less muscular
exertion than flying would have done, and he judged that the current,
here very swift, would carry him out of reach of his pursuers.
It soon began to appear that he judged rightly; and the voyageurs, to
their chagrin, saw that, instead of gaining upon him, as they had
expected, every moment widened the distance between him and the
canoe. The bird had an advantage over his pursuers. Three distinct
powers propelled him, while they had only two to rely upon. He had the
current in his favour--so had they. He had oars or paddles--his feet;
they had oars as well. He "carried sail," while they spread not a "rag."
The wind chanced to blow directly down-stream, and the broad wings
of the bird, held out from his body, and half extended, caught the very
pith of the breeze on their double concave surfaces, and carried him
through the water with the velocity of an arrow. Do you think that he
was not aware of