442 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



of godwits with the small gun. The clay was fine, though 

 rather windy, and the sky full of white fleecy clouds. 

 About eleven o'clock we made out a flight of wigeon, 

 splashing and gamboling by the edge of a mud-bank. 

 They were very restless, rising at 300 yards without any 

 warning ; they made several impetuous gyrations in the 

 air, sometimes passing close over the punt, where we lay 

 flattened on the bottom-boards ; but so unsettled were 

 they (probably conscious of the coming storm), that, 

 though frequently splashing into the water almost within 

 shot, they never allowed time to execute the necessary 

 manoeuvres for a shot with the big gun. At noon we 

 anchored to have our lunch. The weather had not altered 

 — fleecy clouds still hastening across the sky from the 

 westward : but now a small black cloud seemed to rise 

 from the northern horizon. Quickly it rose and increased 

 in magnitude. Hardly had we observed its ill-omened 

 appearance, than a horrible roaring noise was borne down 

 upon us. Up went the wigeon and away to the south- 

 ward, followed by a string of grey-geese, driving before 

 the wind at enormous velocity. At these I sent a No. 1 

 wire-cartridge, and remember distinctly hearing it patter 

 against their strong quills as they hastened before the 

 cyclone ; now a flock of oystercatchers, now a score of 

 godwits hurried past. The rushing noise increased in 

 violence, and we could now see its advance, as the once 

 tranquil waters were lashed up into seething foam some 

 500 yards to windward. 'Be quick, sir! jump out, and 



hold on fast!' shouts S ; but it was too late. In an 



instant we were overwhelmed — the punt bottom upwards, 

 myself struggling to get out from underneath her. Being 

 a mile from the main shore, it was a case of hold on, or 

 drown. Never have I seen such a fearful sight as those 



