58 SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 



thumb (my hands being wet and cold), and bang- went the gun. 



Fortunately, it was pointed over the bows, and there was no 

 damage done, with the exception of a shot or two hitting the 

 handle of a fluke-rake, an implement we had taken on the off- 

 chance of getting a few fish. But the rain stopped this part of the 

 business. 



After this I shot another black-headed gull, and in rounding up 

 to retrieve it, the strain upon the block caused the strap to give 

 way, and clown came the sail on our heads, whilst the boat began 

 to drift down stream. My fingers being chilled, it was some time 

 before the block could be restrapped, especially as I had a rather 

 bad cut on the ball of the thumb from the tail of the hammer, when 

 the gun slipped off. We, therefore, decided to wait for the tide, 

 and accordingly landed near a public-house, where we had some 

 refreshment and a comfortable smoke. It was far more pleasant 

 sitting there over a good fire than facing the rain in an open boat. 



However, having well warmed ourselves, and the tide time 

 drawing near, we again sallied forth. There was nothing in 

 range, so we were very glad when the flood came. In a few 

 minutes we got afloat, hoisted the sail, and in the course of an 

 hour and a-half were back again. On our way back, I dropped 

 a small bird, probably a sandpiper. I saw it come down not many 

 yards away. The rain had ceased, and there was scarcely a ripple 

 on the water, and yet it suddenly disappeared. It was suggested 

 to me afterwards that I'd put so much lead into it as to sink it ! 



