THE CHILDHOOD OF BIB-NECK 33 



They wore leggins and each carried a hunting bag, for 

 they were sportsmen from the yacht which the evening 

 before had dropped anchor in the bight of the cape. 



On they came with bang after bang of the terrible guns. 

 The birds rose before them and whirled away in swarms. 

 One at a time the hunters dropped behind each other and 

 hid themselves among the dunes. At last only one man 

 was in sight far down the shore. 



This wet beach, with its shallow pools here and there 

 left by the receding tides, was a favorite feeding place for 

 the birds, and they were loath to leave it. So, after being 

 driven to the extremity of their range by the solitary hun- 

 ter, many flocks circled him and turned again up the 

 beach. This quickly brought them within range of one of 

 the concealed hunters, and then another and a few moments 

 later still another was shooting into their midst. 



Back and forth, up and down, the terrified birds flew, 

 calling and calling constantly, while through it all ever 

 sounded the danger cries of the faithful yellow-legs. 

 Every way the flocks turned they encountered a gun whose 

 discharge tore murderously through their ranks. For 

 many hours this killing continued, and when at length the 

 hunters went their way they carried with them long strings 

 of birds as well as full hunting bags. 



Many were shot and fell which the hunters failed to find. 



