194 THE PARTRIDGE 



ward cast, then works inquisitively up-wind, 

 with tail held low and swaying gently from flank 

 to flank. Off once more he gallops as far as the 

 hedge, returns, passes Cora, and checks on the 

 line of scent that he had previously detected. 

 But this time he works further into the wind, is 

 uncertain only for a moment, and then stands 

 rigid. Almost before he comes to point, Cora 

 is " down '' in the ditch, watching him eagerly, 

 but not daring to move. 



Boisterous Random needs firm handling. He 

 is not free from the faihngs of his careless puppy 

 days, and would dearly like to catch a rising bird 

 rather than see me shooting it. Nevertheless 

 his temper is of the sweetest, his power of scent 

 extraordinary, his speed and style are such that 

 Cora could never hope to rival him had she not 

 the experience of many an autumn day to aid 

 her in her quest. Random, in brief, is a type of 

 the rare combination of the show dog with the 

 worker. " Live-stock " journals have vied with 

 each other in describing his appearance on the 

 *' bench '' ; critics, promising for him a career 

 of triumph in the field, have sought to win him 

 from my ownership. But Random, the roiUcking 

 pet of the household in the valley, is neither for 

 mart nor exchange. 



Luck is not with my wild Irishman in his first 

 find. A " cheeper '' brood, too weak and small 



