ON PLAIN AND PEAK 



ground. He would be an easy shot one could 

 not miss a bird that size but we should have to hit 

 him in the head to bring him down. Probably he 

 knows himself to be sacred, or he would not be so 

 trustful. 



An old cock pheasant, too, rises in a great flutter 

 of excitement, but goes rocketting back over the 

 heads of the beaters, unfortunately without giving 

 us a shot. 



Next a rabbit scuttles across our path, and we 

 manage to secure Master Bunny before he reaches 

 the safety of the other side. 



No roebuck is considerate enough to appear 

 within shot, but we have the doubtful pleasure of 

 seeing one, in the far distance, slowly and quietly 

 cross just behind the Count, who is intently gazing 

 in exactly the opposite direction. 



The Prince has shot one, and the Count has 

 been tempted has fallen has fired at and has 

 missed a capercailzie ! 



Another drive follows. We kill another rabbit, 

 that rolls over into a pond, and is with difficulty 

 fished out. We also see a polecat he comes 

 sneaking along a few yards before the beaters ; 

 but before we can fire with safety he dodges back, 

 and is lost to us. 



One more drive (a blank ! ), and then comes lun- 

 cheon not the least agreeable item of the day's 



78 



