The blinds are made of cedar bushes stuck into the mud in such a way that the little gunning boat just fits inside. When the tide ebbs enough for the ducks to reach bottom they come in to feed on their favourite wild celery.
The guide took the tender to keep the ducks moving and left them alone.
He had scarcely gone when a pair of black ducks started for the decoys. Just as they were about to settle, in spite of Stuart's warning, Nan popped her head over the bushes to see where they were.
Quick as a flash they leaped a hundred feet into the air and left for parts unknown at the rate of a hundred miles an hour.
"That's great!" Stuart cried, in disgust.
"I'm sorry, Jim," she said, contritely. "I won't do it again. But, you know, I'm glad they got away after all."
"Yes?"
"Because they were mates; didn't you see the beautiful colours on the drake's head? And what a yell he gave to his girl when he saw me? Aren't you really glad they got away?"
"I am not!" he answered, emphatically. "Don't you dare to do that again."
"I won't, honest. I'll kill the next one myself. Tell me just when to get up; I'll shoot him just like I do a clay pigeon at the trap, without sighting, just by instinct."