my Father's Adventui^es. 45 



and was overheard afterwards telling a companion 

 of the escape which he had effected by his nimble- 

 ness, for said he, *' I reckon they would have shet 

 me ef I hadn't a rinned. But they would have bin 

 hanged for it, wouldn't mun ? " 



The birds on that day's beat having been " properly 

 squandered," and the guns not caring to go back 

 after single birds, the markers were called in and 

 formed line, so many between each gun, to try some 

 "big breeches," as large enclosures of furze and 

 rushy, rough ground are called, where hares, that 

 travel long distances for their food, sit in retirement, 

 and where cattle who cannot get out are supposed to 

 graze. My father passed a horse that was a mere 

 skeleton, and remarked to one of the men that the 

 horse was starved. '* He must be a proper fule, 

 then," the man replied, "for a caters for 'esself." 



When all the party were in their places, the order 

 was given that the whole line should advance. The 

 '* brishers," which had in the previous part of the day 

 been held as in an " Alpenstock," were now reversed, 

 and shaken at imaginary hares, as a schoolmaster's 

 rod is handled to intimidate refractory boys. Soon 

 there was a ** Say-o ! " And the two nearest guns 

 closed upon the man who spoke. For a hare must 

 not be allowed to get away " whatever." No matter 

 how many barrels are discharged at it. The fusillade 

 rather increases the fun, and adds to the glory of 



