1 72 Sporting Sketches 



draught boat steadily glides through or over the 

 yielding cover ; a rail flutters up within a few yards 

 and goes wobbling away, its feet hanging as though 

 reluctant to leave the saving growths. The flush is 

 indicated by the pusher's automatic cry of " Mark ! " 

 and the squib of the light charge punctuates a kill or 

 a miss, usually the former if the sportsman is pos- 

 sessed of an ordinary amount of skill. The shooting 

 may be continued till from twenty to one hundred 

 shells have been exploded and the outgoing waters 

 have uncovered so much lush growth that the rails 

 can no longer be induced to rise. It is an easy, 

 restful form of sport, with just enough of sunshine, 

 of the salt strength of the marshes, and of mild excite- 

 ment to do a business-worn man a deal of good. 



