314 DUCK SHOOTING, 



fusillade of six guns ensued, but only one bird was left 

 to remind the gunners of the wariness of these sea 

 rovers. 



The tide was now ebbing fast, and George had taken 

 up his decoys and retired. A pair of brant came down 

 by the North Bar directly for the Mud Hole, and as 

 they approached, seemed to slacken up, as if to inspect 

 the works or be introduced to the decoys, and as they 

 drew close together were both let down by the unerring 

 aim of Washy, with a single gun. Then a lone brant 

 was despatched by M. A single sheldrake, which, as 

 the tide was off the flats, was easily gathered, and this 

 ended the morning's sport at this bar. 



The wind, which at early morn was southwest, a lit- 

 tle later veered to westward, blowing fresh, and doing 

 much damage to the bars, which must be repaired be- 

 fore they are in working condition, and the residents, 

 with such as would volunteer, went out after dinner 

 for that purpose, with barrows and shovels. The bars 

 are likely, on a high tide and strong westerly wind, to 

 be shifted from the front to the rear of the box, but, as 

 the party cannot wait for the next east wind to trans- 

 port it back, it must be done by main strength. Roll- 

 boards are laid from a distance of two or three rods, 

 the barrows are filled, rolled upon the boards, and are 

 dumped upon the bar, then leveled to give it an even 

 appearance, and the work is done. On this particular 

 occasion the Mud Hole received one hundred and sev- 

 enty-five of these raw recruits, and it is splendid exer- 

 cise — almost equal to dragging a hand-sled up a long 



