254 WILD FOWL SHOOTmG. 



thirty-eight mallards. They were soon suplemented by 

 an additional six, that were killed while he was tying 

 those already killed. It was now about four o'clock, 

 and having to make fully fifteen miles down stream to 

 camp, we hastily gathered together ducks and decoys, 

 and double tripping, soon had things in our boat, and 

 started on our journey. We both regretted the neces- > 

 sity of leaving this spot so early in the day, for it was 

 most truly a bonanza, and could we have remained till 

 dark, we could easily have bagged from seventy-five to 

 one hundred. 



After being settled cozily in the soft hay in the boat, 

 my companion, while stroking the bright colors and 

 admiring the immense size of our dead drakes, ex- 

 claimed to me that we were in great" luck in finding 

 these birds. 



" Why ! my dear friend," said I, " there wasn't the 

 least element of luck about it, the finding of those birds 

 was merely bringing into use my practical knowledge of 

 woodcraft, birdcraft or by whatever name you choose to 

 call it. You were industriously engaged in seeing how 

 fast you could dispose of sandwiches, pickles, etc., and 

 your mind was so fully occupied with your pleasant 

 duties that you thought of nothing else, except to oc- 

 casionally crack some pleasant joke, aud proffer me 

 the kernel of it. While you were doing this, my ears 

 and eyes were open, as well as my mouth, — ears listen- 

 ing to your bright stories, — eyes constantly scanning 

 the horizon, to see where ducks were going, and what 

 they were intending to do. Had I allowed lunch and 

 stories to engross my attention as you did, we would 

 have missed this splendid shooting we both enjoyed so 

 much. Then always bear in mind when hunting ducks, 



