Was he after ducks, or what?
The animal was at least a quarter of a mile away from dry land, being in the middle of a marsh, overgrown with reeds.

Another of Mr.Dick's adventures ended more unfortunately for him, as I fear he never got over its effects.

I again, as on the last occasion, heard him evidently furiously engaged with something in a thick wood.

After crawling on my hands and knees for some time, I found Dick and two other of my spaniels in furious combat with an enormous wild cat, who when I came up was holding her own against the dogs.

The beast got her back against a tree, and was fighting all three dogs, keeping them at a respectful distance.