I couldn't stop to see what became of Mr. Quack,
because if I had, that terrible gun would have killed me. So I kept
on a little way and then turned and went back, only I kept out in
the middle of the Big River. I dropped down on the water and swam
about, calling and calling, but I didn't get any answer, and so I
don't know what has become of Mr. Quack. I am afraid he was killed,
and if he was, I wish I had been killed myself."
Here Mrs. Quack choked up so that she couldn't say another word.
Peter's own eyes were full of tears as he tried to comfort her.
"Perhaps," said he, "Mr. Quack wasn't killed and is hiding somewhere
along the Big River. I don't know why I feel so, but I feel sure
that he wasn't killed, and that you will find him yet."
"That's why I've waited instead of going on," replied Mrs. Quack
between sobs, "though it wouldn't have been of any use to go on
without my dear mate. I'm going back to the Big River now to look
for him. The trouble is, I don't dare go near the shore, and if he
is alive, he probably is hiding somewhere among the rushes along the
banks. I think I'll be going along now, but I'll be back to-night
if nothing happens to me. You folks who can always stay at home
have a great deal to be thankful for."
"It's lucky for me that Mrs. Peter wasn't here to hear her say
that," said Peter, as he and Jerry Muskrat watched Mrs. Quack fly
swiftly towards the Big River. "Mrs. Peter is forever worrying and
scolding because I don't stay in the dear Old Briar-patch.
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