1 64 The Wild-Fowlers 



Little Adam, the Captain's ruddy son, 

 was busy too, and it was a treat to Seth 

 and his companions to observe with what 

 remarkable good-nature he received his 

 father's boisterous orders. 



" Yes," echoed Corbin, as the three 

 men, observing the old bayman coming 

 toward the cabin, tried their best to ap- 

 pear unconcerned in his quarrelling with 

 the boy; " yes, tell us how the quail shot 

 worked on the ducks, Seth/' 



" So the Captain has told you of our 

 conversation on deck last night, has he ? " 

 said Seth. " Well, the load, a trifle over 

 an ounce of No. 8 shot with but two and 

 a half drams of nitro powder behind it, 

 performed as well as I expected, but I 

 must admit I prefer a larger-size pellet 

 say a No. 4 for brant and the Canada 

 geese, and No. 6 for all the ducks, though 

 I was taught to use No. 4 on ducks, and 

 a larger size, BB, I think, on geese. My 

 father used No. 4 on canvasback, red- 

 head, and broadbill called bluebill in the 



