coming.
Now I knew that there were not more than half-a-dozen really safe guns
in the immediate neighbourhood, and I determined that in my case
discretion should be the better part of valour. I accepted the
invitation with certain mental reservations.

Arrived at the rendezvous, I found an old friend and good shot; in
addition several good fellows, some of whom, though charming from a
social point of view, plainly showed by the rather defiant manner in
which they handled their guns that they were best avoided on the present
occasion. Fortunately for my friend and myself we were rather short of
boats, so with apparent good nature we insisted on staying on shore,
where we could get well out of range if necessary. We speedily secreted
ourselves amongst some tall reeds, and well away from the direction
towards which the fleet of boats was making. One of these, strongly
resembling a three-decker, had three guns on board, all of whom stood
upright throughout the action. Her we christened the _Man of War_. The
smaller craft skirmished in her vicinity, and for two hours the battle
raged furiously. No distance was too great, no waterfowl too small or
insignificant for their attention; but endurance has its limits, and at
last we noticed that even the _Man of War_ was silenced, having fired
upwards of 600 rounds. Slowly and solemnly the "Fleet" worked its way
back to tiffin.

[Illustration: BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL]

In the meantime my friend and I had some capital sport, killing several
pintail before these birds, always the first to leave, had finally
departed. In addition we got some grey duck, gadwall, and a number of
garganey and pochard. Later, when the boats had all left the "jheel,"
the fowl slowly began to return, and we now realised with satisfaction
that we were well placed. Never have I had better sport or enjoyed
myself more, and when at length we were peremptorily informed that the
return train was shortly due (and even Indian trains don't wait for one
more than half-an-hour), we staggered into the little wayside station,
followed by our coolies, carrying enough ducks to feed the station for a
week. The second method has now to be dealt with.

Nothing is easier than to accustom the ducks to come to feed at stated
times.

At first a horn may be used and then gradually dropped, and in a very
short time the birds will know the time of day as well as their feeder
does; the latter must be stern with them, absolutel