On getting close to the borders, we fancied we heard some sounds from a brood of ducklings.  We therefore crept cautiously along the shore, when, to our infinite satisfaction, we caught sight of a couple of ducks, and not one, but two broods.  We had got almost near enough to catch hold of the hindermost, when the cries of the mother-ducks warned their young ones to make the best of their way from us.  Eager to seize our prey, we dashed into the water after them; when, to escape us, they endeavoured to make their way through the high grass.