MORNING MALLARD SHOOTING— FALL. 139 



Gun wasn't cocked, eh? Why, I've heard you 

 cock it fully a dozen times since we struck the 

 edge of the rice. I guess you must be getting 

 a trifle excited. Well, it's to be expected at first, 

 with so many ducks continually jumping up before 

 you- but it will soon wear off. The trouble is, 

 when you took the gun down afler sighting at 

 that wood-duck a moment ago, you let down 

 the hammers, and forgot to raise them agam. 

 Look out next time, and keep cool; you'll have 

 lots of chances. 



Careful! Well done! That duck was neatly 

 killed No one could do better. A young mal- 

 lard drake! Waited a little too long, didn't he? 

 Pick him up as we pass. Always pick up ducks 

 by the bills or heads, and shake them well be- 

 fore putting in the boat; their feathers hold a 

 lot of water, and they look much better and will 

 keep longer when dry than after lying m the 

 wet all day. Lay him on his back in the bow, 

 in front of the dog. I like to keep my dueks 

 feathers smooth too, not turned "every which 

 way" Look sharp, now; in this bend ahead there 

 are ducks, I'll warrant. Steady! I thought so! 

 Well I guess you a'n't much of a " slouch 

 at shooting, if this is the way you are in the 



