One  morning I  saw  through  the  windows  of  my  bed-room  that  a  large  pond, not  far  off,  was  covered  with  wild  ducks.  In  an  instant  I took  my  gun  from  the  corner,  ran  down-stairs,  and  out  of the  house  in  such  a  hurry,  '  that  I  imprudently  struck  my face  against  the  door-post.  Fire  flew  out  of  my  eyes,  but  it did  not  prevent  my  intention  ;  I  soon  came  within  shot,  when, levelling  my  piece,  I  observed,  to  my  sorrow,  that  even  the flint  had  sprung  from  the  cock,  by  the  violence  of  the  shock I  had  just  received.  There  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  I presently  remembered  the  effect  it  had  on  my    eyes,  therefore opened  the  pan,  levelled  my  piece  against  the  wild  fowls,  and my  fist  against  one  of  my  eyes.  [The  Baron's  eyes  have retained  fire  ever  since,  and  appear  particularly  illuminated when  he  relates  this  anecdote.]  A  hearty  blow  drew  sparks again ;  the  shot  went  off,  and  I  killed  fifty  brace  of  ducks, twenty  widgeons,  and  three  couple  of  teals.

Chapter 2