60 SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 



rather a gay time of it, whilst B. was on his knees alongside me 

 dropping- a penknife down his barrels and using- very strong 

 language. At last we got one case out, but the base of the other 

 came off, leaving- the paper tube struck fast. Then my gun played 

 a similar trick, and we were thus reduced to a barrel apiece. We 

 shot another gull each, and I shot a diver. B. retrieved most of 

 the birds, sometimes picking a sleeve full of water instead of the 

 game. But he managed very well. 



The weather keeping rough, and our garments and cartridges 

 very wet, we decided to give it up, and having a fair wind, we 

 were soon back again. Just before landing, B. fired at a bird at 

 a very long distance, more to empty the gun than anything else, 

 and to our surprise the bird came down, but as it dropped in the 

 shallows we did not attempt to get it. 



After dining with B. and his estimable family, I borrowed some 

 fresh garments and came home well satisfied with the few hours 

 spent in pursuit of divers. The only mistake we made was in 

 taking paper cases I had over a dozen spoiled had we had brass, 

 neither of the guns would have been rendered partially " hors de 

 combat." But then, we didn't expect its being so very rough. 



