258 MELTON AND HOMESPUN 



soliloquises the amateur while watching the ever-changing, 

 kaleidoscopic effect of the rising sun upon sea and sky. 



But even as he drops the mallard into the capacious 

 inside pocket of his old jacket, a shrill " cur-lee ! " causes 

 him to grab up his gun and stoop low within the narrow 

 confines of the duck-hole. 



The far-reaching challenge rings out again, and from 

 apparently close quarters. 



Springing to his feet the amateur is just in time to get 

 a couple of shots into a small herd of curlew as they swing 

 along over the edge of the salt-marshes at a great racket. 



Beyond sending the birds to the right-about the first 

 barrel takes little or no effect. But as the herd turns, 

 with the decision of a regiment of well drilled infantry, 

 one drops from the ranks, pitching into a shallow pan of 

 water. 



" Widgeon " Joe now appears on the scene, and pointing 

 to the great fiery sun, which is rapidly rising above the 

 horizon, exclaims : " Theer be the sun, maister ! Floight be 

 over, tide be ebbin'. Tis time us got aboard t'owd foot- 

 boat." 



