DUCK-SHOOTING IN THE EAST INDIES, 163 



the main tank and separated from it by a ridge of high 

 rock. The bund, or embankment, was a short one, and 

 ran across a narrow valley near the root of the little 

 finger, to continue my comparison. 



To our delight there were plenty of duck about the 

 tank, which was nearly a mile long, but not half that 

 width at the widest part. Our plan of attack was 

 similar to our previous one, only as I had to go some 

 way round to get to the thumb creek, I started first, 

 picking up a quail in some dead cotton on my way. I 



had scarcely reached the creek when I heard O'N 's 



gun right opposite. I hastened to crouch under some 

 tamarisk bushes, and hardly had I done so when I 

 heard the whistle of wings and a wisp of teal alighted 

 a little way to my right. They were rather out of 

 shot, but as the wind was pretty strong up the creek I 

 thought they were worth waiting for. The event proved 

 I was right, and presently I guessed the leading one to 

 be within range, and rightly so, for he turned over to 

 the shot. The others went back, but a flight of duck 

 from the main water came over, and I got one to my 

 left barrel. I had to wait a bit till the wind brought 

 my teal ashore, and then coasted right round the creek. 

 By this time the birds were all on the alert, and when 

 I had crossed the tongue of land I found they were 

 mostly right out in the middle of the water. Just then 



O'N fired up at the top of the tank. I saw a wisp of 



teal rise to the shot and drop over into my creek. I 

 turned back, and a little quiet stalking brought me right 

 on to them. I potted one, and as they rose I got a 

 second. 



M 2 



