THE ‘‘PEEPS”’ 155 
prettily with nimble and graceful steps over 
the slimy surface which bears their light forms 
easily. Mark how their pursuer flounders, well 
nigh mired in the chase. At length a consider- 
able number being together for a brief instant, 
he fires. Another barrel when the frightened 
little creatures are in the air, and for a hundred 
yards the cripples drop out and struggle to get 
ashore to hide in the grass, 
The average gunner as he happens upon these 
little flocks seldom troubles them. If the beach 
be covered with their squads and companies he 
may take aim along his gun barrels at their 
most compact masses and figure out the prob- 
able destruction which the pressure of his fin- 
ger might cause, then throwing the gun into 
the hollow of his arm, goes out of his way that 
he may not disturb their happiness. But all 
too often comes the deadly flash with its fatal 
effects, and many are killed and others, less 
fortunate, are crippled, to fall behind the flock 
and with their last strength struggle ashore to 
await their release. 
On the high tide they collect on the ledges 
standing out of the water and huddle in a bunch 
on the sunny side. They love to cuddle down 
