254 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
thirty-eight mallards. They were soon suplemented by 
an additional six, that were killed while he was tying 
those already killed. It was now about four o’clock, 
and having to make fully fifteen miles down stream to 
camp, we hastily gathered together ducks and decoys, 
and double tripping, soon had things in our boat, and 
started on our journey. We both regretted the neces- 
sity of leaving this spot so early in the day, for it was 
most truly a bonanza, and could we have remained till 
dark, we could easily have bagged from seventy-five to 
one hundred. 
After being settled cozily in the soft hay in the boat, 
my companion, while stroking the bright colors and 
admiring the immense size of our dead drakes, ex- 
claimed to me that we were in great luck in finding 
these birds. | 
“Why! my dear friend,” said I, “there wasn’t the 
least element of luck about it, the finding of those birds 
was merely bringing into use my practical knowledge of 
wooderaft, birdcraft or by whatever name you choose to 
call it. You were industriously engaged in seeing how 
fast you could dispose of sandwiches, pickles, etc., and 
your mind was so fully occupied with your pleasant 
duties that you thought of nothing else, except to oc- 
casionally crack some pleasant joke, and proffer me 
the kernel of it. While you were doing this, my ears 
and eyes were open, as well as my mouth,—ears listen- 
ing to your bright stories,—eyes constantly scanning 
the horizon, to see where ducks were going, and what 
they were intending to do. Had I allowed lunch and 
stories to engross my attention as you did, we would 
have missed this splendid shooting we both enjoyed so 
much. Then always bear in mind when hunting ducks, 
