IN THE MABSH. 135 



We made sad havoc with them, didn't we? Eight 

 down, with four barrels. I am not surprised at your 

 missing with your second barrel, for you weren't watch- 

 ing for them to jump quite so high after they received 

 the contents of our first barrels. Did you notice how 

 they jumped perpendicularly ? They went straight up 

 fully thirty feet, and you undershot the second time. 

 • Bear it in mind hereafter, and as soon as you fire the 

 first barrel, look high before shooting again, for they 

 invariably rise vertically when shot at. Mark ! A pair 

 of canvas-backs. How do I know at this distance ? By 

 their steady flight, their long necks, their short bodies. 

 They will come in to our red-head decoys. Don't wait 

 for them to light, give them a chance for their lives ; 

 that is, if shooting at them at thirty-five yards is a 

 chance. You take the drake and I will his mate. Now 

 is your time ! Pshaw ! Pure carelessness ! I ought 

 to have killed her with either barrel. When I shot 

 first I didn't gauge her speed ; then the second barrel 

 was fired hastily, and without properly judging flight. 

 Look ! Look at her wabble and teeter, — ^liit hard after 

 all ! See how hard she tries to keep up ! Will she 

 make it ? Yes ? No ! Down she goes, stone dead, the 

 shot having penetrated a vital part. We will find her 

 all right, as she fell in that big open water. Yes, 

 yes! I see those six mallards. They will come all 

 right. The two that are about fifty yards in advance 

 will call the others in. Keep low. Here's a drake 

 swinging right in to us. Knock him ! Well ! You 

 are a nice fellow. Why didn't you shoot? I supposed 

 of course you would, and I followed him, and waited 

 and waited for you. Lucky thing I was ready and 

 killed him. What was the matter? Duck fever? 



