26 SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 



SEAFOWL SHOOTING ON THE RIBBLE (1883). 



Notwithstanding we had long- looked forward to the ist of 

 August, 1883, our sport on that occasion was very meagre. As 

 arranged months before, my friend Renshaw duly made his ap- 

 pearance with his usual formidable "impedimenta." My young 

 friend, Albert Saul, having kindly volunteered to take us down 

 the river in his small yacht, called for us on the evening of the 

 3ist July, and after collecting our guns, cartridges, and pro- 

 visions, and partaking of a little refreshment, we got aboard and 

 prepared to start. It did not take long to hoist the sails, and, 

 with S. at the helm and my canoe in tow, we began to beat down 

 stream with the ebbing tide. 



. Having got to what we considered a favourable spot for the 

 morning, we dropped the sails and anchored in the middle of 

 the river. Although we had plenty to eat, we now discovered 

 that we had, unfortunately, neglected to bring any coals, so that 

 when we turned in, although comfortable in other respects, we 

 were very. cold. Of course, before sleeping, we indulged in a 

 pipe and nightcap, and felicitated ourselves upon the probable 

 sport the morning would bring. 



Just before eating our supper, R. said he could smell something 

 disagreeable. S. suggested it was the bilge water, but on mak- 

 ing a search he found a plate of uncooked beefsteaks green with 

 age ! Of course, the plate was emptied overboard, and cleared, 

 when the bad odour disappeared. At half-past three in the 

 morning, we rose, and taking our guns we gleefully inserted the 

 cartridges whilst standing in the cockpit on the look-out. 



R. used a i2-bore central fire, by Leonard and Sons, Birming- 

 ham ; S., who is a very fair shot, a good i2-bore central, by W. 

 Richards, of Preston; and I a i2-bore central, by J. Burrow, of 

 Preston. Although a fine morning, it was so cold that our teeth 

 chattered audibly. To get up a little circulation S. and self took 

 the canoe and went ashore, where we separated, and soon after 

 I saw S. fire in the distance, and a large bird come down. Then 

 R. fired, and a bird dropped on the bank. When my turn came 

 I missed ; in fact, I had two or three shots for nothing. 



Going some distance along the edge of a big creek, I, however, 

 managed to stalk and drop a couple of purres, which were re- 

 covered by drawing them to the side with the gun barrels. Whilst 

 picking them up a heron came flying very low over the marsh. 

 To drop on my knees was the work of an instant. In fact, I lay 

 with the side of my face on the ground, something like a Mussul- 



