Instantly there was a great commotion among the geese, which, instead of rising and flying away, half ran on the surface of the water, flapping their wings to help them in their retreat.
The guns rang out again. Before Paul, in his excitement, could reload, the game was quite out of range of his shotgun, but Dan with his rifle fired several more shots after the retreating birds.
Five geese lay upon the water when the fusillade was over, and the boys hugged each other in an ecstasy of delight.
“How’ll we get them? They’re away out in deep water,” asked Paul.
“I’ll get un,” said Dan, beginning to undress, “I’ll go in for un.”
“Let me do it, Dan,” suggested Paul. “You do all the hard and disagreeable work.”
“Oh, I don’t mind goin’ in. ’Tain’t so cold,” declared Dan, who was now stripped, and plunged fearlessly into the icy water.
Fired several more shots after the retreating birds