82 BROADLAND SPORT 



inside, armed to the teeth with 4-bores,8-bores, double and single 

 rifles, and every imaginable device calculated to slay or drive 

 away any living thing in or out of range. A fitful wind off 

 the land, with occasional snow squalls, is most favourable to 

 the project, so let us have it so. Such conditions of weather 

 cause an uneasiness in the birds, and plenty of small " trips " to 

 constantly lead about, gladdening the hearts of the blood- 

 thirsty crew. 



Presently the man in the bows, with binoculars, sights 

 a bunch of fowl, and a chorus of excited exclamations ensue. 

 Our captain, however, asserts command, and silences all by 

 issuing his directions. One takes his position at the big gun, 

 another in the stern, while the remainder, grasping their 

 weapons in eager expectancy, crowd under cover of the 

 gunwale, reminding one of pirates preparing to board an 

 unsuspecting merchant vessel. " We must be near enough 

 now," whispers No. 1. " No, we're not," replies No. 2. "But 

 the swivel, surely " (which he thinks can kill anything within 

 sight), "will easily reach them," chimes in No. 3, and so 

 on, until at last the birds settle further dispute by "jumping" 

 prematurely. No. 1 cannot restrain himself longer, and 

 lets off both barrels of his double 8-bore at quite 200 yards' 

 range (which, over the water, does not look one-third the 

 distance), then No. 3 and No. 2 respectively join in, whilst, 

 perhaps, the man at the big gun (who ought to know 

 better), overcome with the general excitement, adds its dull 

 boom to the already deafening serenade. Thus the party 

 proceeds, obtaining shots now and again with little variation 

 and less result, until at last an unfortunate duck, receiving 

 a stray pellet, is pinioned, then oh, joy ! up starts the 

 whole piratical crew, eager to claim and prove that to his 

 own individual prowess fell the prize, and, amidst the general 

 confusion, irregular volleys are discharged haphazard at the 

 victim, which, at length, half-drowned with constant and 

 prolonged diving, is secured by the assistance of boat-hook 

 and landing-net. 



Or, to vary proceedings, perhaps, after several unsuccessful 



