2 2 Sporting Notes in the Far East. 



top of them ; but, " disappointment," there was not a duck to be 

 seen. I happened to be up in the bow of a boat, and in turning 

 round disgusted after this unexplained exodus, was horrified to see 

 the mast stepped, and on which fluttered high above the top of the 

 reeds, a huge white ensign ; which needless to state accounted for 

 everything. 



When coming to a creek which .you wish to ford and there is 

 any doubt as to its depth ; before attempting anything, lay down 

 the gun and cartridges on the bank, as in crossing you may at any 

 moment go overhead, and there is nothing so disheartening as 

 commencing a day's shooting with wet and swollen cartridges, 

 besides running the great risk of losing your gun. 



Some creeks are most deceiving ; they look any depth, but when 

 the ford is attempted are found quite shallow. Again many of 

 them are shoal near the banks, but will suddenly go down like a 

 wall, to any depth. 



It was through a sudden descent like I have just mentioned, 

 that I, as near as a minute, lost a bran new 8 bore gun : as it was, 

 I sank twice with it, and swallowed a lot of water before getting 

 a foothold on the friendly branch of a sunken snag. I shall 

 never forget the look of surprise on my companion's face, I think 

 he was so amazed at my sudden disappearance, that for the 

 moment he could not move to come to my assistance. It must 

 certainly have looked most ludicrous, and we had a good laugh 



