IN THE MARSH. 135 



We made sad havoc with them, didn't we? Eight 

 down, with four barrels. I am not surprised at your 

 missing with your second barrel, for you weren't watch- 

 ing for them to jump quite so high after they received 

 the contents of our first barrels. Did you notice how 

 they jumped perpendicularly ? They went straight up 

 fully thirty feet, and you undershot the second time. 

 Bear it in mind hereafter, and as soon as you fire the 

 first barrel, look high before shooting again, for they 

 invariably rise vertically when shot at. Mark ! A pair 

 of canvas-backs. How do I know at this distance ? By 

 their steady flight, their long necks, their short bodies. 

 They will come in to our red-head decoys. Don't wait 

 for them to light, give them a chance for their lives ; 

 that is, if shooting at them at thirty-five yards is a 

 chance. You take the drake and I will his mate. Now 

 is your time ! Pshaw ! Pure carelessness ! I ought 

 to have killed her with either barrel. When I shot 

 first I didn't gauge her speed ; then the second barrel 

 was fired hastily, and without properly judging flight. 

 Look ! Look at her wabble and teeter, hit hard after 

 all ! See how hard she tries to keep up ! Will she 

 make it ? Yes ? No ! Down she goes, stone dead, the 

 shot having penetrated a vital part. We will find her 

 all right, as she fell in that big open water. Yes, 

 yes! I see those six mallards. They will come all 

 right. The two that are about fifty yards in advance 

 will call the others in. Keep low. Here's a drake 

 swinging right in to us. Knock him ! Well ! You 

 are a nice fellow. Why didn't you shoot? I supposed 

 of course you would, and I followed him, and waited 

 and waited for you. Lucky thing I was ready and 

 killed him. What was the matter? Duck fever? 



