210 MOOSE-HUNTING, SALMON-FISHING, ETC 



and drifted with it, till we were as near as we 

 ought to be for an effective shot, so we pushed 

 the Daisy ahead of the cake, and just then, 

 and not till then, did the gander sound the 

 alarm. Up like a flash went all their heads, 

 but there was apparently nothing confronting 

 them ; even the old gander lowered his head, 

 as though he had been fooled by a little ice- 

 cake. Now as many as ten strutted up to- 

 gether, and as they saw me level my gun, 

 their heads straightened up accordingly. 

 " Now," thought I, " nothing less than 

 half a dozen here ! " They were so near 

 now, not more than 12 yards. If I fired at 

 their bodies, they would be torn to pieces and 

 spoiled. The right barrel was levelled so as 

 just to take their heads. My clothing was 

 so burdensome two or more coats, leather 

 vest and the like that they made me very 

 clumsy, and consequently the butt could not 

 be got near my shoulder to steady the gun. 

 When I fired, therefore, the concussion made 

 her jump, and the charge went over every 

 bird not one was touched except by the 

 wind. All jumped up and winged their 

 flight. The results were so disappointing 



