SHOOTIS-G MALLARDS IN A SNOW STORM. 81 



water, that would cause a duck to float for fifty yards 

 before we could possibly retrieve it, and compel us to 

 return against the swift current. Besides, the deep 

 thickness of the branches overhead would scatter the 

 charge of shot, making it almost impossible to shoot 

 with effect. 



To the north of us I saw ducks flying low, as if seek- 

 ing a spot to feed ; then saw them drop through the 

 trees and disappear from sight, not returning. I knew 

 that we had found their retreat, and that where they 

 lit we would find shallow water, possibly a little land. 

 We found it as I expected. Selecting an open place, 

 as open as we could among the thick trees, we put our 

 decoys out, and located ourselves so that the ducks 

 when killed would fall above and be carried toward 

 us by the current. We stood in water a foot deep. 

 No sooner in the blind than five mallards bowed their 

 wings above the decoys. A long shot, but I succeeded 

 in making a double. Harry did not shoot, " afraid he 

 would spoil my shot," said he. I then said to him, 

 " Shells are plenty, and ducks also. You will never 

 learn to shoot unless you try. Stay close to me and 

 bang away at every bird that gets near you." " An- 

 other thing, Harry," said I, " hold well ahead of every 

 bird you shoot at. I know it's hard to do so, for the 

 inclination is strong, indeed, hardly to be resisted on 

 the part of a beginner, to shoot right at the duck. It 

 looks so large and is such a nice object to fire at. Then 

 again, he just can't shoot at the air — ^he will aim at the 

 duck, then feeling he should obey, draws ahead. He 

 is pointing at thin air, a foot or two ahead. Behind 

 this thin air he sees a beautiful green head, glossy 

 feathers, perhaps a bright sparkling eye, the thought 



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