FOAVL SHOOTING. 



129 



in motion by the gentle ripple, which almost invariably curls the 

 surface of the bay, with their heads all turned to windward, they 

 might very readily be mistaken, at a short distance, for a flock 

 of wild-fowl, so complete is the deception. When the business 

 of laying out the birds is accomplished, the next thing is to get 

 into the machine itself, an object of no little difficulty, from its 

 ticklish nature, being balanced almost even with the water's 

 edge, and the distance to which the boards project from the 

 sides. When this is at last achieved, he places his gun and am- 

 munition by his side, and extends himself at full length in his 

 floating box, while his companion paddles off" some distance, to 

 await the event, and remain in readiness to pick up the game. 



" In the meantime morning is slowly breaking. The whole 

 sky assumes a kind of saffron tint, under the influence of which 

 the distant gull appears magnified to twice its size, as it wheels 

 over the waters in search of prey ; at last a small dark line appears 

 in the distance, moving swiftly across the sky. Each moment it 

 grows more distinct, until at last the eye can plainly trace the 

 form of the birds of which it is composed, and the certainty that 

 a large flock of Brant are rapidly advancing, sends a thrill of 

 delight through the frame of the expectant fowler. They ap- 

 proach within a hundred yards — then, as if suspicious, wheel 

 with a hoarse gabble and retreat ; but an excellent imitation of 

 their note again attracts their attention. Once more their course 

 is directed towards their hidden foe ; on they come, sailing with 

 outstretched wings — they are almost over the stool, when, start- 

 ing to his knees, the occupant of the battery raising his gun to 

 his shoulder, takes them on the turn as they are huddled toge- 

 ther, and by a rapid discharge of both barrels, strews the water 

 with the dead and dying. 



" Such is shooting from a battery, and we would only remark 

 in conclusion, that if incited by our remarks, or the evil demon 

 of curiosity, any young gentleman should ever find himself en- 

 sconced in one of these machines some cold November morn- 

 ing, we would merely recommend him to provide himself with 

 thrice the patience of an angler, and as these worthy brethren 

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