242 Sporting Sketches 



we all stole, then Monroe called out : " Ready ! 

 Don't drop any in the slough. Let 'em fly clear ! " 

 There was a breathless pause, then, with a bursting 

 roar of wings, fifty or more big gray ducks sprang 

 into the air and headed straight between my stand 

 and Thompson's. A whole bunch passed so near 

 that their every marking was visible and of these 

 I tumbled four, three to the first barrel. Two quick 

 reports, and it seemed to rain ducks over in Thomp- 

 son's territory; then that worthy's voice rang out: 

 " Quick ! Watch Monroe ! " A lone pair of fowl 

 had turned and was rushing high over the third 

 gun. Up straightened the tall figure, two barrels 

 sounded in swift succession, and duck after duck 

 folded up like a brown parcel and came hissing 

 down to strike the grass with an earnest whop ! 

 whop ! such as only extremely dead fowl make. 

 And from Thompsonville-in-the-grass arose a sound- 

 ing a-ah ! of admiration, for 'twas a noble double and 

 the temporary mayor of Thompsonville, etc., was 

 above any petty jealousy. He had the most ducks, 

 but none knew better than he the difference between 

 flocking a near-by bunch and pulling down such a 

 brace of climbers. 



" Thought you had me out in the cold, eh, you 

 rascals ? but I did get a crack, after all. Oh ! I'll 

 learn yet. My, they're a fine lot ! " The hearty 

 ring in Monroe's voice was good to hear, and I 

 expressed unqualified admiration of the prettiest 

 lot of gun-work seen in many a day. But the real 

 worshipper was standing like a bronze statue in the 

 wagon. Black eyes had noted every move of that 

 brief skirmish, and they flashed with joy as Monroe 



