56 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



at your left, down about 80 yards. Didn't you see 

 him ? I did, a drake swimming at the edge of the brush, 

 right at the foot of that old tree. I just caught a glimpse 

 of the white on his rump. Watch for him. There ! 

 There ! Good enough ; he never winked after you 

 fired ; he is as dead as a mackerel. Look out ! Give 

 it to her ! Well ! Well ! It took three shots to get her, 

 but batter that than three misses. You undershot her 

 as she rose over the trees, and I missed her clean with 

 the first barrel. Pick up that drake as we pass. No ! 

 No ! not that way, not by the feet or wing ; if you do, 

 the water will be carried into the boat. Always pick 

 them up by the bill, give them a couple of jerks up and 

 down ; that will shake the water off. Here's our duck, 

 pick her up. I noticed four light in the stream below 

 us. The stream is narrow and crooked, and we ought 

 to get at them. Keep down, and when I give you 

 a slight push, rise quickly to a sitting position and let 

 them have it over the left quarter of the bow ; they 

 will be there, for with a quick turn of the oar I will 

 turn the boat so as to make it so. Try and get in your 

 first barrel very quick, for remember, there will be 

 three waiting to follow. Be careful, and shoot clear 

 of the blind. I have had companions in their excite- 

 ment bang away into the blind, and even in their haste 

 fire into the sack of decoys. There they are out in that 

 opening ! See how contentedly they sit ! Look at that 

 drake preen himself ! We will get a shot sure, they are 

 not the least suspicious. Where would we be with a 

 common skiff ? Simply left : they would have both seen 

 and heard us long ago. Hug close to the bottom of 

 the boat, until I push you. That's right ! That's right ! 

 Hurrah ! Got the whole four at one time. I thought 



