IN THE MARSH. 18 
cause the gun will throw them closely together, and 
you will find, if held right, that sneaking cripples will 
stand a poor chance of escaping the charge ; while pin- 
tails circling around at a height of fifty and even sixty 
yards, will be much surprised, for we will kill them, and 
a good many of them, at that height. If Iremember right, 
you told me your gun was a 10 bore, weighed nine and 
three-quarters pounds, 80in. bbl; right barrel modified, 
left full choke. That is just my idea of a gun, except 
with me a gun for ducks should have both barrels full 
choked. It cannot shoot too close for ducks. Your shells 
load with four and a half dms. powder. What kind? It 
doesn't matter much,—any kind you get from a reliable 
dealer will satisfy you. Now, don’t be in a hurry to 
load your shells, but use care, for they must be loaded 
carefully and properly, to expect good results. By 
the way, here is a shell I had in my pocket the other 
day, when out targeting my gun. This is the kind 
you want. You won’t have time to load shells this 
afternoon, so go to the gunsmith’s and order enough 
like this, four and a half dms. powder, one card on 
powder, two pink-edged No. 9 on that, then another 
card; next one and one-eighth ozs. No. 6 chilled shot, 
with card on that; then crimp tightly. That’s what I 
use for ducks. Don’t be afraid of chilled shot hurting 
the inside of the barrels, no fear of that; experiments 
have been made time and again, and it has been de- 
monstrated beyond a doubt that 1t does not injure the 
metal in the least. 
“ Don’t know as I have time. Yet, seeing I am right 
here, passing your house, will step in for a moment and 
see what kind of a hunting outfit you have. Good 
enough! Corduroy all through; coat, vest and pants— 
