IN THE MARSH. 135 
We made sad havoc with them, didn’t we? Eight 
down, with four barrels. Iam not surprised at your 
missing with your second barrel, for you weren't watch- 
ing for them to jump quite so high after they received 
the contents of our first barrels. Did you notice how 
they jumped perpendicularly? They went straight up 
fully thirty feet, and you undershot the second time. 
Bear it in mind hereafter, and as soon as you fire the 
first barrel, look high before shooting again, for they 
invariably rise vertically when shotat. Mark! A pair 
of canvas-backs. How doI know at this distance? By 
their steady flight, their long necks, their short bodies. 
They will come in to our red-head decoys. Don’t wait 
for them to light, give them a chance for their lives; 
that is, if shooting at them at thirty-five yards is a 
chance. You take the drake and I willhis mate. Now 
is your time! Pshaw! Pure carelessness! I ought 
to have killed her with either barrel. When I shot 
first I didn’t gauge her speed; then the second barrel 
was fired hastily, and without properly judging flight. 
Look! Look at her wabble and teeter,—hit hard after 
all! See how hard she tries to keep up! Will she 
make it? Yes? No! Down she goes, stone dead, the 
shot having penetrated a vital part. We will find her 
all right, as she fell in that big open water. Yes, 
yes! I see those six mallards. They will come all 
right. The two that are about fifty yards in advance 
will call the others in. Keep low. Here’s a drake 
swinging right in to us. Knock him! Well! You 
are a nice fellow. Why didn't you shoot? I supposed 
of course you would, and I followed him, and waited 
and waited for you. Lucky thing I was ready and 
killed him. What was the matter? Duck fever? 
