SIXTEEN DUCKS 63 



I started Beady in with a lively movement as 

 they approached the shore, and they were 

 coming as fast as they could be drawn with a 

 line, as unconscious of danger, as if all gunners 

 were miles distant. When within about 20 

 yards of us, they divided into two bunches, 

 which drew together. This was the time we 

 were waiting for. I gave a whistle : up went 

 their heads. The signal, " One ! two ! " was 

 given, ' ' Bang-bang-bang-bang ! " Both our 

 No. 10 double barrels were emptied into them. 

 As a result, sixteen ducks were soon on the 

 shore. Then it was he offered me $50 for 

 my Eeady. 



" Well, well, well, I never dreamt of the 

 like, and really thought you were gassing me ! " 

 he said. " Do you know what it is in Eeady 

 that makes them come to him, when I am 

 sure they would have flown if a black dog had 

 gone out to the beach ? " he asked. I explain 

 it in this way, which I think is the correct 

 one : Nature, represented by its Creator, has 

 made provision for every living thing. We 

 are taught that the tiniest insect is fed, so by 

 observation we know that the red fox in fact, 

 any fox can go to the shore of a lake, where 





