WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 121 



young quails were coming on, we were awakened 

 one morning by firing, musketry-firing, close 

 at hand. My first thought was, that war was 

 declared ; but, as I should never pay much at- 

 tention to war declared at that time in the morn- 

 ing, I went to sleep again. But the occurrence 

 was repeated, and not only early in the morn- 

 ing, but at night There was calling of dogs, 

 breaking down of brush, and firing of guns. It 

 is hardly pleasant to have guns fired in the di- 

 rection of the house, at your own quails. The 

 hunters could be sometimes seen, but never caught. 

 Their best time was about sunrise ; but, before one 

 could dress and get to the front, they would retire. 

 One morning, about four o'clock, I heard the 

 battle renewed. I sprang up, but not in arms, 

 and went to a window. Polly (like another 

 " blessed damozel ") flew to another window, 



" The blessed damozel leaned out 

 From the gold bar of heaven," 

 6 



