BRANT SHOOTING. 305 



edge of the box to observe what transpires and report 

 to his companions, who crouch down out of sight, 

 especially when birds are approaching. As the brant 

 assemble upon and around the bar, the observer will no- 

 tice these heads, and he understands the leader has sig- 

 nified to his associates that now is the best time to 

 shoot, and that they must very gently raise their heads 

 so as to look out for the most desirable groups to shoot 

 at, and yet not to cross the fire of the others. The or- 

 der is now presumed to be given : "Ready — one, two — 

 fire !" The first discharge should be simultaneous, the 

 second at will. Then the box is suddenly vacated, and 

 such a splashing and dashing after cripples, which are 

 captured first, and afterward, on the way in, the dead 

 birds are picked up. "A big shot," says H. "About a 

 dozen," mutters Reno, who is never sanguine. "More," 

 says S. "Can tell better when we arrive at the shanty," 

 continues Reno. At this moment several sea duck 

 {Somateria mollissima) come puffing along and at- 

 tempt to pass the North Bar, when, quick as thought, 

 the three guns were aimed, and three eiders were float- 

 ing on the flood, while a fourth was struck hard, but 

 managed to escape. 



The tide is fast making over the bar, now "boring" 

 up, now falling off again. "Shall we be driven?" asks 

 H, "If it continues to flow hard we probably shall," 

 responds Reno. Again it "bores," and a wavelet enters 

 the box. The decoys are now unfettered and placed in 

 the basket. Another wave forces the party to mount 

 the top of the bar. Here is the dread alternative, either 



