rushes
were in movement from those swimming and feeding among them, for the
plants were just at that time in seed. The birds were too much
occupied to mark the approach of this fresh clump of rushes. The men
had removed the screen from the side of the boat furthest from the
birds, and now stood in readiness, each holding half a dozen sticks
about two feet long, made of curved and crooked wood.

When close to the birds the boat was swung round, and at once with
deafening cries the birds rose; but as they did so the men with great
rapidity hurled their sticks one after another among them, the last
being directed at the birds which, feeding among the rushes, were not
able to rise as rapidly as their companions. The lads were astonished
at the effect produced by these simple missiles. So closely packed
were the birds that each stick, after striking one, whirled and
twisted among the others, one missile frequently bringing down three
or four birds.

The cats were in an instant at work. The flapping and noise was
prodigious, for although many of the birds were killed outright,
others struck in the wing or leg were but slightly injured. Some made
off along the surface of the water, others succeeded in getting up and
flying away, but the greater part were either killed by the cats, or
knocked on the head by the poles of the two fowlers. Altogether
twenty-seven birds were added to the store in the boat.

"That puts our arrows to shame altogether, Amuba," Chebron said. "I
have always heard that the fowlers on these lakes were very skilled
with these throwing-sticks of theirs, but I could not have believed it
possible that two men should in so short a space have effected such a
slaughter; but then I had no idea of the enormous quantities of birds
on these lakes."

Jethro was examining the sticks which, as well as the ducks, had been
retrieved by the cats.

"They are curious things," he said to Amuba. "I was thinking before
the men used them that straight sticks would be much better, and was
wondering why they chose curved wood, but I have no doubt now the
shape has something to do with it. You see, as the men threw they gave
them a strong spinning motion. That seems the secret of their action.
It was wonderful to see how they whirled about among the fowl,
striking one on the head, another on the leg, another on the wing,
until they happened to hit one plump on the body; that seemed to stop
them. I am sure one of those stic