By the direction they were taking, they would pass only a little
way from the henhouse; so I stepped back till I heard they were
opposite, and then, going out, I gave both barrels to the nearest
to me, and stopped his galloping about pretty effectually. When I
reached the place I saw that Hubert had had a narrow squeak of it,
for Maud had fainted, and Ethel was in a great state of cry. But I
had no time to ask many questions, for I ran up to hoist the danger
flag, and then saw you and Fitzgerald coming along with the Indians
after you. Now, Hubert, let's hear your story."
"Well, papa, you know I said yesterday that I was sure that I had
seen a new duck, and this afternoon I rode out to the pools, in
hopes that he might still be there. I left my horse and crept on
very cautiously through the reeds till I got sight of the water.
Sure enough, there was the duck, rather on the other side. I waited
for a long half-hour, and at last he came over rather nearer. He
dived at my first barrel, but as he came up I gave him my second.
Flirt went in and brought him out. He was new, sure enough--two
blue feathers under the eye--"
"Bother the duck, Hubert," Charley put in. "We don't care for his
blue feathers; we want to hear about the Indians."
"Well, I am coming to the Indians," Hubert said; "but it was a new
duck, for all that; and if you like it, I will show it you.
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