252 BAIL-SHOOTING. 



In the State of Delaware I made my debUt in 

 rail-shooting. Everything favoured me, for the 

 wind was blowing and had been for some days from 

 seaward, and the moon was full, two circumstances 

 that predicted a very high tide, of all things the 

 greatest guarantee of sport. About noon I joined 

 my ' pusher/ who had promised me his services for 

 this occasion in return for the consideration of five 

 dollars. This description of shooting cannot be 

 enjoyed without such an attendant, and his qualities 

 require to be so varied and extensive, that the 

 apprenticeship of a lifetime is not too long to pro- 

 duce a perfect pusher, who must have skill in poling 

 a boat, eyes keen as a cat's to mark the killed game, 

 a knowledge of the locality, and familiarity with 

 the resorts and habits of the quarry. 



I was far from favourably impressed with my 

 temporary companion. His first remark on meeting, 

 previous to our start, was so offensive as almost to 

 produce an instantaneous dissolution of partnership. 

 He told me in the coolest and most off-handed way, 

 that he guessed I had better stick to store business, 

 and leave gunning to my betters. It must be 

 acknowledged this was a fearful rub to me, an ex- 

 military man, rather conservative in my opinions and 

 sentiments, thus to be taken for a counter-hopper, 

 a measurer of ribbon, an expounder of the various 

 qualities of cottons and stay-laces ; but not be- 

 lieving in the expediency of ' cutting off my nose to 

 spite my face/ I submitted without protest to my 



