DUCK SHOOTING. 241 



" But where did you see swans by the acre?" 

 said we. 



"Where?" he repeated, "why in a dozen 

 places, to be sure ; but the most I ever did see, 

 was on a sandbar, with rocks at its head, that 

 makes up and covers the mouth of the Yeoco- 

 moco river. There's two bars, by the way, both 

 making from the mainland, one up from the 

 mouth of the river, and the other down ; there's 

 not a foot of water on either bar ; you must stand 

 up between the two, or you'll stick. Both bars 

 were covered with geese and swans, and when 

 they got up a half a mile off, they made a noise 

 like all old Nick's hounds in full cry; but there 

 goes a small dart of red-heads no, they've 

 turned yes there they go there they go, 

 straight for the decoys four ducks down !" 



"Ay," said McCullough, "Mr. W. shoots 

 ducks well ; I've been out with him before ; he's 

 quite as sure in the box as you or I, Ben." 



" Ay," answered Ben, "it may be, in moderate 

 weather and when the ducks come well up : but 

 what would he do in the box in a heavy swell, 

 with the wind as keen as a knife, on a December 

 day?" 



" Oh !" said McCullough, " that is a horse of 

 another color. The clouds are moving in the 



