At last , early one morning , he found Dusky and his flock in the rushes and wild rice . Eagerly he counted them . There were nine . Not one was missing . Blacky sighed with relief and dropped down on the shore close to where Dusky was taking a nap . `` Hello ! '' said Blacky . Dusky awoke with a start . `` Hello , yourself , '' said he . `` I 've heard a terrible gun banging over here , and I was afraid you or some of your flock had been shot , '' said Blacky . `` We have n't lost a feather , '' declared Dusky . `` That gun was n't fired at us , anyway . '' `` Then who was it fired at ? '' demanded Blacky . `` I have n't the least idea , '' replied Dusky . `` Have you seen any other Ducks about here ? '' inquired Blacky . `` Not one , '' was Dusky 's prompt reply . `` If there had been any , I guess we would have known it . '' `` Did you know that when that terrible gun was fired there was another terrible gun right over behind those bushes ? ''
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Blacky Ducks Dusky bushes feather idea morning relief reply right