258 DUCK SHOOTING. 



watch every movement made by the flock. They rise 

 high up as they clear the river bank and head directly 

 for us. We crouch low in the blind with guns in readi- 

 ness, and goose-call to our lips. They don't see the 

 decoys, for it is not very light yet. As they come nearer 

 they come down a trifle ; yes, they see the decoys. The 

 leader sets his wings and drops below the others, and 

 they sail gracefully for the decoys. But, alas! they 

 turn, about the time we are sure we have a shot, and by 

 a graceful sweep go by to one side out of range, and 

 alight just back of us about 150 yards. 



However, we settle down as we see another flock get 

 up out of the river. They go up and start out on the 

 same line with the other flock. They head directly for 

 the other flock on the ground behind me, and, reassured 

 by seeing the others there, they drop down within 40 

 yards of the ground, and come almost directly over me. 

 I rise with gun in hand, four reports in quick succession, 

 and three noble Canada geese fall to the ground ; and 

 one other starts, then rises and starts on, but one more 

 shot and he comes tumbling down to earth. The fun 

 has started in earnest. The geese come out in small 

 flocks, and the guns are booming in every direction. In 

 two hours the flight has ceased, and we gather up our 

 geese and decoys and start for camp. We sum up at 

 camp: four guns have bagged eleven geese and five 

 ducks in the two hours' shoot. 



The next day the wind blows hard from the north, 

 and snow is falling in large flakes. It is cold ; but we 

 start out to try our luck about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. 



