DUCK-SHOOTING. 353 



as they crowd together or separate, as they swing 

 first one flank of their array forward, then the 

 other ; as they draw nearer and nearer, breathlessly 

 to wait the proper time, and, with quick eye and 

 sure aim, select a pair, or perhaps more, with each 

 barrel. It is still more glorious to see them fall 

 doubled up if killed dead, turning over and over 

 if shot in the head, and slanting down if only 

 wounded, driving up the spray in mimic fountains 

 as they strike ; and glorious, too, the chase after 

 the wounded with straining muscles to follow his 

 rapid wake, and, when he dives, catching the first 

 glimpse of his reappearance to plant the shot from 

 an extra gun in a vital snot. Glorious to survey 

 the prizes, glorious to think over and relate the suc- 

 cessful event, and glorious to listen to the tales of 

 others. 



Sad, however, is it when the flock turns off and 

 pushes far out to the open water ; sadder still when 

 the aim is not true and the bird goes by uninjured ; 

 sad when the chase is unsuccessful and the weeds 

 hide the prey, or he dives to grasp a root and never 

 reappears ; and saddest of all to fall overboard out 

 of your frail bark a fate that sooner or later awaits 

 every one that shoots ducks from little boats. 



I had had all these experiences except the last, 

 and almost that when pushing through the weeds, 

 my friend appeared, attracted by my rapid firing, 

 and after comparing our respective counts, ensconc- 

 ed himself in one of the points opposite me on the 

 channel. By this plan all birds that came between 



