ii2 SPORTS AND ANECDOTES. 



close at hand were as good, if not better, than widgeon 

 fully a mile off. Accordingly, having taken the 

 cover, which was part of an old water-boot, off 

 my gun, and having put in a copper primer, which 

 I always did the last thing before going into birds, 

 we got down in the punt, and were ready for 

 action. 



The night was very dark, almost too dark to see 

 anything, but there were a few stars overhead, and I 

 could hear their beaks dibbling in the mud quite dis- 

 tinctly, but the deuce a thing of any kind could I see. 

 I put up my opera glasses, which I always carried at 

 night, and I thought I could see a something that 

 moved. I felt pretty sure I was near enough, so I 

 whispered, " Shove in one stroke nearer, if you possibly 

 can, and I'll shoot to the sound, for I'm blessed if I 

 can see them." Accordingly, giving a tap on the 

 bottom boards with the toe of my water-boots, just to 

 make them set their heads up, " Look out," said I, 

 and off she went. I shall never forget the noise the 

 gun made in the silence of the night, nor the noise 

 that was to be heard as soon as that noise had 

 cleared off. I had killed some ducks of some kind, 

 that was quite certain, and there seemed a good 

 many. 



