304 T>UCK SHOOTING. 



greater, Reno, who is as constant at the box as the 

 North Star to the Pole, must start first. He takes with 

 him S. and H. The high tide of the previous night had 

 filled the box, which must be bailed out ere it can be en- 

 tered. The decoys are then fettered and allowed to run 

 out upon the bar, and as the water is making around us, 

 they rush down for a morning bath, which they seem to 

 enjoy exceedingly. Washy, who has for some years 

 managed the Mud Hole, is accompanied by M. and 

 the doctor, while George, with W., occupies the 

 Gravel. The parties have scarcely got well placed 

 when a small "pod" of brant come flitting along toward 

 the North Bar, and four out of seven were knocked 

 down by S. and H., and gathered. "What is that black 

 spot away down to the southwest?" asks Reno, after 

 gazing steadily for a few moments in that direction. 

 "It looks like a large flock of brant," he continues, the 

 spot still holding his eager eyes. "Yes, it is a flock of 

 brant, and they are heading for us," he adds. As the 

 flock comes on and on, nearer and nearer, "Yes," he ex- 

 claims, "they are making directly for us. Now they 

 turn ! There — there they go, right for the Mud 

 Hole," his face elongating at the sight. "Now," says 

 S., "they have all lighted within two hundred yards of 

 the box, and, as the tide is still flowing, they will be 

 likely to swim in and give the boys a splendid shot." 

 Sure enough, they soon catch sight of the decoys on the 

 bar and commence swimming for that point. Only one 

 head is now seen above the bar. The resident who 

 manages the decoys keeps his eyes steadily above the 



