The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-14
VOL. XLVI.--N0. 226.
THE FUN OF DUCK SHOOTING.
NOTES lROM THE ACCURITE DIARY OF
AZ INICCURIIE SPORTSMIM.

Inhabitants OF Shinn cock Eny-Plenty OF
game for the Next Mnn-Nrck Deep In leo
water Among the AEvravntinE Deeoy.
FntpAY. April Ill start from Hunters
Paint. by WY Of the Long Island Railroad. at
s.aDthis morning. on duck shooting excur-
siop Il seems to mo to be nm extraordinarily
cold morning. but that may be no moro than an
IMPRESSION arising and taking gloomy hue
from the fat that have not breakfasted. l |
hayo a companion to whom was introduced |
Yesterday and who half suspect Is an Irish
man. On his way to the ferry he dropped a
box full of No. 10 cartridges on tho pavement.
and ho now seems to be filed with the sus-
picion that they are likely to go of at
ANY moment He sits aud regards them with
an expression Of extreme doubt. while telling
meal number OF stories about the Duke Of Con-
naught and the Dublin University. l suspect
that he is a very skiliul duck shooter. In person
he IL thick set; he Is exceedingly handsome. and
1orid in complexion. and his eye is bold and
blue He has a beautiful double-barreled gun
OF English make. and his valse contains a pair
Of Bl0cher boots and bottle OF Irish whiskoy.
At the end Of three hours or more we come to
Manor. which Is notable on account OF its being
ajunction. and here we are joined 10y NJ. Latin.
the famous club swingcr. He came down yes
terday. but failing to look alive. he was carried
over the junction. and now he has come back to
mako his mistake good. and TO get himself
aimed right for Good Ground. which is also our
destination. NJ. Latin. beside being a thor
oughly friendly and amiable man. is dressed
out in the true sporting style. His huge.
athletic body. which has carried delight
10 so many observers and pain to so many
opponents is encassd in a blue flannel shirt
his rolling hiceps dstend his coat sleeves in
such a way that the brakemen and baggage
.l.1f. .ls. a Inn. nd ha
magnificent sporting paraphcrnalla. which in
size and weight are suited to their owner We
travel together in the baggage car. which is the
only accommodation for smokers. and during
the ride NJ. Laflin relates how ho once hit
what is popularity supposed to be the unattain-
able nose Of the prize fighter. Jo Coburn. thir-
teen separate times in a boxing match. and
Fitz. which is the name OF my friend. gives
what seoms almost q hyperbolical account Of
shooting ducks with a howtzer on the River
Shannon. am quite sure. now. that the latter
Is an Irishman. Willing thus the hour away
with pleasant and improbable story and with
that which the young IrishmRn carried in his
yalise. along with his Blncher boots. the time TO
our arrival at Good Ground does not seem long.
picturesque windmill confronts we
step from the cars. and not much else. The
ground is fiat and sandy. and patched with
snow. The pine trees edgng the wagon road.
which crosses the railroad track at right an
giles are stunted. and look as II their growth
has been thwarted by the wind. which. as we
descend upon the platform. is blowing hard
enough almost to propel US without option OF
our own. Above the little pine trees. two miles
or more to the southwark. rises the Good
Ground Lighthouse. in the near neighborhood
OF which we are to 20. II is not so comfortable
at the Good Ground station that we wish TO
make long stay there. anc we are not sorry
Z.
tor OF the Bay View House. presently drives up
,bnsce eshan snsses %e are TSon doSSoted led IN R%h
barrel OF salt pork and some other hotel matters
aud after n brisk ride over the sandy road
during which we sharpen our appetite on u
wind that is wholly potent. we reach the Bay
shinnecSck Bay now lies before US, rufled
and shining like silver in the sun-the home OF
wild geese and broadblls, which we behold fly
ing low Rhoye it, as thick rs flies in the summer
time. / cannot refrain from recording here
that all my instincts OF aggression stir within
are similarly moved. for they urge upon Mr.
Williams the necessity OF fastening dinner in
order that we may get TO our work. Suhse-
ouent occurrences however. show us that too
great zeal Is misplaced. As we look from
Bay View House. which contains a fire. q
singular figure approaches u along the path
leading up from the shore Plainly II Is
sportsman. and am constrained to say that
marvel at the imperturbhole way IN which he
saunters along. his back turned indinerently
upon the winged glories OF Shlnnecp,k Bay
and his hands thrust ndoently into his trou-
sers pockets. He is n young man. and, from
wears corduroy oreeches and pair, Of
rubher boots. which. were they not unattached
and turned down would reach his thighs his
body is cncased ir thick jumper wrought out
OF brilliant wOols; an open, bobtail corduroy
Jacket rruoses gayly above this the two points
OF a silvor-grny flannel shirt collar rise on
either side Of his neck to about the height OF
his ears. bestowine sort OF elhsh appearanfe
upon the wearer: and canvas skull cap is
drawn tightly down over his head. rms Is
Mr.. Larry Pike son 9f tho man who
he smiles and. coming in "" al again pledge
one another our friendly regards IN that part
Of the young Irshman's baggage which is not
his Blcher boots after which. 10 our great
chagrin, We learn that the wind Is much too
high for duck shooting. and would not fall 10
sink battery in something less than TWO min
ues. II occurs To- me ut this moment to ask
what battery isi ny compnnion, fiII; I'm idlt me
ceal a swivel but NJ Lann assures
me that it is name 70 indicate the
reach without fu66er boots coming 10 the hips.
grow mystilrd and despondent. and only par
ana with our overcoats on. After dinner l
propose that ms it IL unsafe to venture with q
which, under the high wind would be liable
n sink, We 20 out with our guns ana shoot al
a mark. Ny proposal is greeted with de;
rision. | glance over tho bay the surface Of
which Is blackened with the swarms OF Wild
fowl but Of Course do not wish to sink WIN q
inexperienced and unsportsmnnllke. to Say
TO my great relief, however after while
NJ. Lann proposes that we tab our guns and
stroll down the shore MS far as Lanes. Hesays
We may find "crippen-that Is. wounded
duck-or some robins. / hail the proposal
with alacrity. 1t is 30 cold at the Bay View
House that even merely to stir, the blood
q walk along the shore Is acceptable. We set
out-.M. Lann. Fitz and myself. Fit2
is the most eager Of US. He starts
robin. and fires at ii. but he doesn't
bring down the game partly, he says. be,
cause Of sense OF pity for the loneliness OF
the bird. and partly because he has been edu-
Gated tg the use OF howtzer on these occa-
sions. We continue on our way and in time
get quito warm; for tho shore Is not straight
and regular. but Interrupted with marshes and
creeks in the circumventon OF which we
wet our feet and part Win portions o.
and painful thorns. Half way 70 Lanes
we pause in an open glade for the purpose ol
taklng some flying shots at a few articles Of old
and discarded tin ware. which we find lying In
a ditch. Fitz fires ten times at an ample dlpper
but ling 10 find any marks OF his onslaught
upon IT, we conclude that 1t 10 impenetraole
and pass on 70 Lanes. We do not ind any
thing es specially 70 attract us there. his bat;
te:ies are engaged fos tbs morning. and
although I propose 70 Fitz that we g
tiers, am not listened 10 by him.