Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/201

Rh number of birds were pouched by our hungry and ragged comrades, as the result of this first onset: though many, as might be imagined, were too badly riddled with shot to be of any value even to them.

Slowly and silently we sallied forth to our next attack. It was this time upon the bend of a bank, interspersed with one or two shrivelled trees; and if the ground had been slimy before, it was muddy and slippery in a tenfold degree on this spot. Staggering and plunging, we went over the marsh; and many a helping hand had to be given by laughing comrades to one another. We stopped suddenly at length, on a signal from our Zambo; who once more went before us, and clapped his hands and hallooed, as usual. Another volley was fired as the birds arose, and a fearful slaughter ensued amongst them. Shouts of glee ascended from the sportsmen, on their great success; and the affair was hailed as a glorious proof of skill and marksmanship. The voice of the Zambo rose loudest in approval, and his exertions to collect the scattered unfortunates were immense. I stepped aside to the right, with two of my companions, to look at the lake; which opened to our view at that