68 CAMP FIRE REMINISCENCES © 
the flat upon which the birds were, it was decided 
that I should run towards them and fire both 
barrels of B. B. when they rose. I did this, aim- 
ing high, as they were a long way off. My shoot- 
ing produced no immediate effect, but after a time, 
one bird left the flock, and circling around for a 
little, alighted close to us. It had evidently been 
hit. We walked up to it and I seized the bill, in- 
tending to lead it to the boat. It would not be 
led, however, so Y. got behind it and pushed. The 
mud at this place was very soft, the surface being 
liquid, and when the bird was pushed, it spread 
out its wings and with them swept gallons of the 
mixture over me, so that I was obliged to let go and 
shoot it. 
Returning to the house, we found many new ar- 
rivals; all were keen about the coming sport, and 
those who had been there before told fabulous 
yarns of former experiences. After lunch, we se- 
lected our boats and cut willows and tules for 
blinds. Before going to bed that night we put on 
board provisions and water, as we expected to make 
an early start. While it was very dark, and before 
the others were astir, we carried ammunition to 
the boats. Then we visited the kitchen and get- 
ting breakfast were very soon adrift. .Y. was going 
south to a neighbourhood called Klondyke, while I 
was to take the No. 1 overflow and establish a blind 
for myself in the north bay. At first the overflow 
was easy, a considerable current drifting me down 
a rather broad stream with willow-grown margins. 
In half a mile the willows had come to an end, but 
