RAIL SHOOTING. 153 



In the mean time the skiff is nearly lost sight 

 of among at least a dozen others, which, from 

 the rapid and continued firing, appeared to be 

 having good sport. It is to be noticed, however, 

 that Bill's man begins to shoot with less certainty 

 than before, and that the second gun is less 

 frequently brought into requisition. The rail 

 also seem to display more life upon the wing; 

 they fly swifter and further. The wind has 

 increased to a half a gale, and a portion of the 

 rest of the shooters are observed to be making 

 bad work. 



" The tide will be up to the top of the bank, 

 sir," says Bill, "but the daylight will hardly 

 last it out." 



" Aye," answers the shooter, " we must get 

 further in : the water is driving the birds towards 

 the meadows." 



At this moment a report like that of a six 

 pounder is heard among the boats, followed by a 

 dense cloud of smoke. Some shooter has blown 

 up his rail box. On goes Bill without giving 

 the accident a second thought ; but the indefati- 

 gable Dennis is there before him, and now com- 

 mences a trial of sportsmanship between the two 

 boats, which is exciting enough when viewed 

 from the bank. They are pushing side and side 



