MORNING MALLARD SHOOTING FALL. 139 



Gun wasn't cocked, eh? Why, I've heard you 

 cock it fully a dozen times since we struck the 

 edge of the rice. I guess you must be getting 

 a trifle excited. Well, it's to be expected at first, 

 with so many ducks continually jumping up before 

 you; but it will soon wear off. The trouble is, 

 when you took the gun down after sighting at 

 that wood-duck a moment ago, you let down 

 the hammers, and forgot to raise them again. 

 Look out next time, and keep cool ; you'll have 

 lots of chances. 



Careful ! Well done ! That duck was neatly 

 killed. No one could do better. A young mal- 

 lard drake! Waited a little too long, didn't he? 

 Pick him up as we pass. Always pick up ducks 

 by the bills or heads, and shake them well be- 

 fore putting in the boat ; their feathers hold a 

 lot of water, and they look much better and will 

 keep longer when dry than after lying in the 

 wet all day. Lay him on his back in the bow, 

 in front of the dog. I like to keep my ducks' 

 feathers smooth too, not turned " every which 

 way.'' Look sharp, now; in this bend ahead there 

 are ducks, I'll warrant. Steady ! I thought so ! 

 Well, I guess you a'n't much of a " slouch " 

 at shooting, if this is the way you are in the 



