126 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



the next moment the whole company — numbering 

 perhaps 300 head of mallard, pochard, and widgeon — 

 rise in a bunch. The wings of the fowl have barely 

 cleared the mud than twenty-four ounces of lead are sent 

 into the " brown " of them, and when the smoke of the 

 heavy charge of black powder clears away three mallard, 

 two dunbirds, and seven widgeon are seen lying motion- 

 less on the mud, while several lively cripples are doing 

 their level best to waddle down to the tide. But old 

 Gilson sends the punt hissing through the water towards 

 the wounded birds, which are soon put hors de combat 

 with the " cripple-stopper." The slain are now gathered 

 and stowed aboard, and Gaffer Gilson and his pupil 

 toast " The last shot of the season " in a thimbleful 

 of something good and comforting. 



