THE MONNIELACK SHOOTINGS 157 



fifty-five brace. The other party we learnt had been in for 

 some time, so that it was not until we all met at dinner that 

 I heard their bag was but twenty-three brace. The moment 

 we were seated Captain Spiller opened the conversation by 

 saying to our host, " Well, Colonel, it is quite clear you kept 

 the best beat for yourself" ; and the bride joined in with, " Oh, 

 yes, indeed, it must have been so, for Trip" — (which we dis- 

 covered was short for Triptolemus) — "is such a splendid shot 

 that there could not have been many birds on that part of the 

 moor over which you sent him to shoot." 



As Auldjoe heard this he sat suddenly bolt upright, looking 

 just as if he was going to give the lady a peck with his long 

 nose, but the Colonel suavely replied — 



"Well, Captain, if you will come with me to-morrow we 

 will try a fresh beat, and Donal shall settle which is the best ; 

 but I can assure you the ground you shot to-day was thought 

 to be the likelier of the two." 



We were all glad when dinner was over, and the bride 

 relieved us of her presence. Mr. Auldjoe then began to 

 examine Spiller with a curiously meditative air, while, with his 

 hands crossed on his chest, his cold grey eyes were fixed 

 sternly on the Captain. There was a silence, as our bride- 

 groom began to be uneasy under this piercing examination. 

 Then Auldjoe turned to the Colonel, remarking — 



" I had no idea pheasants and partridges were so well 

 grown in these parts at this time of year." 



"I am glad to hear it," replied the Colonel, "for in five 

 years out of six they are quite a month behind English-bred 

 birds." 



" Indeed, that is not the case here," joined in Spiller, "for, 

 to tell the truth, I actually killed five pheasants and a brace of 

 partridges to-day, thinking they were grouse " — on which 

 Auldjoe sternly remarked — 



" That, I think, was your total bag. Captain Spiller?" 



"Well, yes, it was," replied he; "but who on earth could 



