294 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



coots, and three redshanks, the last-named birds, to- 

 gether with a leash of mallard and a teal, forming 

 Jack's contribution. 



Poor little Tommy made many a journey across the 

 marshes ere the slain were gathered together, for bunches 

 of fowl had been left at different points along the fleets 

 and dykes. At last the grinning, sweating little marsh- 

 man brought up the last batch. It was by this time 

 about nine o'clock, and having commenced operations 

 shortly after five o'clock we sat on the embankment 

 to lunch, and to smoke the pipe of peace and con- 

 tentment. 



The salt-marshes were next visited, and a few stray 

 shots taken at trips of redshanks and dunlin as they 

 passed up and down the creek. Then came dinner, and 

 right well was the youngster's ox-bird pudding enjoyed by 

 all hands. 



Shortly before sunset the captain and myself took our 

 guns down to the fleets to " lay up " for the evening flight, 

 while Jack had charge of the retrievers, which were 

 again required to gather anything that might be killed. 

 The duck were very late in arriving that night ; so late 

 indeed, that I might almost have left my gun at home, for 

 owing to defective sight, fowl passing through the un- 

 certain light appeared but the dimmest shadows to my 

 eyes ; and although I burned a considerable amount of 

 powder I only accounted for a couple of mallard. Not so 

 my gallant friend, however, who, from his stand among 

 the tall reeds of the smaller fleet, obtained some excellent 



