THE ''PEEPS" 155 



prettily with nimble and graceful steps over 

 the slimy surface which bears their light forms 

 easily. Mark how their pursuer flounders, well 

 nigh mired in the chase. At length a consider- 

 able number being together for a brief instant, 

 he fires. Another barrel when the frightened 

 little creatures are in the air, and for a hundred 

 yards the cripples drop out and struggle to get 

 ashore to hide in the grass. 



The average gunner as he happens upon these 

 little flocks seldom troubles them. If the beach 

 be covered with their squads and companies he 

 may take aim along his gun barrels at their 

 most compact masses and figure out the prob- 

 able destruction which the pressure of his fin- 

 ger might cause, then throwing the gun into 

 the hollow of his arm, goes out of his way that 

 he may not disturb their happiness. But all 

 too often comes the deadly flash with its fatal 

 effects, and many are killed and others, less 

 fortunate, are crippled, to fall behind the flock 

 and with their last strength struggle ashore to 

 await their release. 



On the high tide they collect on the ledges 

 standing out of the water and huddle in a bunch 

 on the sunny side. They love to cuddle down 



