WILD-FOWL SHOOTING IX ILLINOIS. 39 



and inability to procure more suitable raiment. After 

 four hours' shooting, on comparing results, my pro- 

 ceeds were more than double his, while two wild 

 geese, the most wary of all game, were among my 

 victims, he having failed to get a shot at this noble 

 quarry. I was at a loss to account for this superior 

 fortune, and might have remained long without satis- 

 factory reasons, but my comrade's experience taught 

 him that the difference of colour in our costume was 

 the cause. 



But to return to our work. As soon as thoroughly 

 located, we divested ourselves of shot-pouches and 

 powder-horns, hanging them on the bushes that we 

 might the easier use them when required-^ for once the 

 game commences to arrive every moment is of value. 

 Before we had been stationary many minutes a few 

 stragglers made their appearance, the advance guard, 

 doubtless, of the main body ; some old and experienced 

 veterans, I should think, are generally chosen for this 

 duty, as these forerunners are wary in the extreme, 

 and seldom or ever come within gun-shot. How- 

 ever, we were not detained idle, a bunch of mallard 

 passed within range, and a salute welcomed their visit ; 

 another and another party rapidly followed in such 

 quick succession that it was impossible to shoot at all. 

 These birds, so far, had only flown past, and as night 



