154 $ e a £sP Shore Birds 



come rather excitedly, but quite solemnly, to inform 

 the Slayer that a fine big seal was lying on a particular 

 rock, and might possibly lie there until he was shot. 



It was more than probable that it would continue 

 to do so even afterwards ! 



All the house party were informed of the nature of 

 the beast, except, of course, the Slayer. 



Then came the message. 



" A fine seal on a rock not far from the shore, and 

 — with the glasses — in view of the house." 



Fearful excitement, by no means feigned on any 

 one's part, for all are bursting with curiosity to know 

 how the seal-stalking will end. 



I, arch-hypocrite, standing on the terrace by the 

 Slayer's side, who is awaiting the coming of his rifle, 

 look through a telescope and say mournfully, as if 

 fearful of breaking such bad news, that for my part 

 the supposed seal only looks like a lump of seaweed. 

 And 1 can bear being told by the Slayer, somewhat 

 flatly and in an unvarnished kind of way, that I am an 

 idiot, for I think to myself that those who laugh may 

 win, or is it " those who win may laugh " ? 



At present my laugh is up my sleeve ; it will come 

 out later on. 



"Seaweed ! any fool can see it's a seal." 



I retort, that not being a fool, is no doubt the 

 reason why I haven't made that discovery ! 



But these compliments from the Slayer come to an 

 abrupt end by the fact of his rifle being handed to him ; 

 and, accompanied by his brother, who winks back at 

 the rest of us, away he goes for the shore and the punt. 



