124 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
although I don’t like that cap, a hat is much better; 
it affords protection from both sun and rain, and you 
will find a cap a nuisance in the rain, and very little 
use in the sunshine. Your clothes, dead-grass color, are 
all right for marsh shooting ; indeed, almost do equal- 
ly as wellin the timber. Hope your long rubber boots 
are big enough for you. If there is one thing I dislike 
more than another it’s tight-fitting rubber boots. Mine 
are always one size larger than my feet. You needn’t 
laugh, I don’t have to have them made to order. 
‘Now, be sure and dress warm. Duck shooting is 
cold work, and although it’s only the middle of No- 
vember, a cold rain may set in, or a snow storm, and 
it’s far better to be dressed too warm, than suffer the 
shightest cold. Take your rubber coat along, no matter 
what kind of a morning it is. I never go without one. 
I did once, and stood out in the rain all day without 
any protection, or place to go to get dry. The only 
comfort I had all that time was sympathy. This, from 
my companion, who, warmly ensconced in a long rubber 
coat, continuously throughout the day, dried my shiver- 
ing bones with sympathy. I learned a lesson that day 
and haven’t forgotten it. Sympathy is very good to take 
in small doses, but sheds water poorly ; along rubber 
coat is far preferable. My rubber coat is dead grass 
color, and I have often stood in it in pelting rain 
for hours, without discomfort. 
‘In the morning at three o’clock I will call for you. 
Pretty early? I know, but we want the early morning 
shooting, and we must be on the ground at break of 
day. I will take Don along. He will retrieve for both 
of us. Well, good day. Iam going to the warehouse 
to get boat and decoys ready.” 
