He nodded, and some Kaffirs were sent to bring in the geese. Several of these, I noted, were still flapping and had to have their necks twisted, but at the time I did not go to look at them. While this was being done I called to Retief, and begged him to examine the powder and bullets I was about to use. “What’s the good?” he asked, looking at me curiously. “Powder is powder, and a bullet is a bullet.” “None, I dare say. Still, oblige me by looking at them, my uncle.” Then at my bidding Hans took six bullets and placed them in his hand, begging him to return them to us as they were wanted. “They must be a great deal smaller than Hernan’s,” said Retief, “who, being stronger, uses a heavier gun.” “Yes,” I answered briefly, as Hans put the charge of powder into the rifle, and drove home the wad. Then, taking a bullet from Retief’s hand, he rammed that down on to the top of it, capped the gun, and handed it to me. By now the geese were coming thick, for the flight was at its full. Only, either because some of those that had already passed had sighted the Kaffirs collecting the fallen birds and risen—an example which the others noted from afar and followed—or because in an unknown way warning of their danger had been conveyed to them, they were flying higher and faster than the first arrivals. “You will have the worst of it, Allan,” said Retief. “It should have been shot and shot about.” “Perhaps,” I answered, “but that can’t be helped now.” Then I rose from my stool, the rifle in my hand. I had not long to wait, for presently over came a wedge of geese nearly a hundred yards up. I aimed at the first fellow, holding about eight yards ahead of him to allow for his pace, and pressed. Next second I heard the clap of the bullet, but alas! it had only struck the outstretched beak, of which a small portion fell to the ground. The bird itself, after wavering a second, resumed its place as leader of the squad and passed away apparently unharmed. “Baas, baas,” whispered Hans as he seized the rifle and began to re-load, “you were too far in front. These big water-birds do not travel as fast as the rock pigeons.” I nodded, wishing to save my breath. Then, quivering with excitement, for if I missed the next shot the match appeared to be lost, presently I took the rifle from his hand. Scarcely had I done so when a single goose came over quite as high as the others and travelling “as though the black devil had kicked it,” as Retief said. This time I allowed the same space to compensate for the object’s increased speed and pressed. Down it came like a stone, falling but a little way behind me with its head knocked off. “Baas, baas,” whispered Hans, “still too far in front. Why aim at the eye when you have the whole body?”