Some distance below he noticed the creek narrowed and made a curve.

At this point he hoped to draw it in shore with a stick, and he lost no time in hurrying to the point.
Arrived there, the trapper stood on the very margin of the water, with a long stick in hand, waiting for the opportune moment.

He naturally kept his eye upon the floating bird, as any animal watches the prey that he is confident is coming directly into his clutches.
From the opposite bank projected a large, overhanging bush, and such was the bird's position in the water, that it was compelled to float within a foot, at least, of this.

Tim's eyes happened to be fixed intently upon it at this moment, and, at the very instant it was at the point named, he saw a person's hand flash out, seize the ptarmigan by the neck, and bring it in to shore in a twinkling.
Indignation upon the part of the trapper was perhaps as great as his surprise.

He raised his rifle, and had it already sighted at the point where he was confident the body of the thief must be concealed, when a second thought caused him to lower his piece, and hurry up-stream, to a spot directly opposite where the bird had disappeared.
Here he searched the shore narrowly, but could detect no sign of the presence of any person.