286 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



" 'Tis that fellow Ted Steele, again," said one of the men from 

 behind the mound ; " this is now the third time he has spoilt 

 our sport this moon! Let us see if we can't make him steer 

 another course, instead of poking- and groping about here directly 

 in our way every night. I say, Ted ! why don't you go lower 

 down the river with your punt, and leave this little bay to us 

 shore-gunners ? 'Tis the only place within two miles that we have 

 a chance of a shot. We were just going to shoot at those ducks 

 as you came up." 



To these remarks Ted Steele replied : 



" How could I tell you were lying behind the bank ? I could 

 not see you. I have a living to get at the sport, and follow 

 it up wherever I think there's the best chance. I don't know 

 why you should claim the exclusive right to the shooting in this 

 bay, and I don't intend to give it up to you," said Ted, as he 

 picked up four pairs and a-half of wild-ducks, the result of his 

 charge. 



After some further jangling, and as soon as Ted Steele had re- 

 loaded his gun and bade the shore-gunners a good night, the men 

 behind the tumulus agreed among themselves to be prepared for Ted 

 on the following night, intending to endeavour to put him off his 

 course, and have some fun into the bargain. 



Accordingly, the night following they placed themselves behind 

 the mound as usual, and patiently awaited the appearance of their 

 victim. It was a fine moonlight night ; and, as the tide gradually 

 flowed towards the bank, they distinctly heard the sound of wild- 

 fowl approaching j very shortly afterwards they caught sight of 

 a punter, apparently watching the wild-fowl and awaiting the flow 

 of tide. 



" Here comes Ted, or I'm a sinner !" said one of the two shore- 

 gunners, with much glee. They directly drew the shot from their 

 gun-barrels, and then, each, placed a charge of hard peas a-top of 

 the powder, and silently awaited the flowing tide, keeping watch on 

 the movements of the unsuspecting punter. As the tide rose, the birds 

 came onwards towards a tiny stream of fresh-water which ran from 

 beneath the bank at the foot of the secreted shore-gunners. The 

 punter now laid himself down in the customary attitude, and 

 proceeded to paddle cautiously towards the birds. He had 

 arrived nearly within range, as he lay on his chest in the punt 

 about fifty or sixty yards from the mound, when " bang !" 



