228 DITOK-SHOOTING. 



as they crowd together or separate, as they swing 

 first one flank of their array forward, then the 

 other ; as they draw nearer and nearer, breathlessly 

 to wait the proper time, and, with quick eye and 

 sure aim, select a pair, or perhaps more, with each 

 barrel. It is still more glorious to see them fall — 

 doubled up if killed dead, turning over and over 

 if shot in the head, and slanting down if only 

 wounded, driving up the spray in mimic fountains 

 as they strike ; and glorious, too, the chase after 

 the wounded — with straining muscles to follow his 

 rapid wake, and, when he dives, catching the first ' 

 glimpse of his reappearance to plant the shot from 

 an extra gun in a vital spot. Glorious to survey 

 the prizes, glorious to think over and relate the suc- 

 cessful event, and glorious to listen to the tales of 

 others. 



Sad, however, is it when the flock turns off and 

 pushes far out to the open water ; sadder still when 

 the aim is not true and the bird goes by uninjured ; 

 sad when the chase is unsuccessful and the weeds 

 hide the prey, or he dives to grasp a root and never 

 reappears ; and saddest of all to fall overboard out 

 of your frail bark — a fate that sooner or later awaits 

 every one that shoots ducks from little boats. 



I had had all these experiences except the last, 

 and almost that — when pushing through the weeds, 

 my friend appeared, attracted by my rapid firing, 

 and after comparing our respective counts, ensconc- 

 ed himself in one of the points opposite me on the 

 chaimel. By this plan all birds that came between 



