304 WALL STREET AND THE WILDS 



anchored a wing-tipped wild goose. As the 

 light increased we could make out passing flocks 

 of duck and brant. A flock of redheads turned 

 in the air and swooped down on the decoys. 



'Wait till they light," said Foster, and we 

 waited. 



"Now!" he exclaimed after the birds had set- 

 tled down, and we raked them on the water with 

 our right barrels and soaked them with the left 

 as they rose. A few minutes later a flock of 

 brant swept toward the decoys, but caught sight 

 of us as they were about to light. As they turned 

 away we cut loose with our guns and three brant 

 dropped out of the flock. I don't know who 

 killed them, but I do know who didn't for I shot 

 a decoy with my first barrel and fired my second 

 so long after the birds were out of range that 

 Foster remarked: 



"Must think you're shootin' a rifle!" 



I was ashamed enough at the time, but was 

 made happy a few minutes later when a single 

 bluebill swept past me, swift as a swallow, and 

 I cut him down. 



