The First of September. 



bit, and flushed that lot, too. I got a brace of them, and Tom missed, being 

 rather out of it. They also went for the clover. 



" Hurra ! now we have 'em. Where are they, Bill ? " 



" Where ? why all over it. There's three down there, and two here — 

 and then — " 



" Ah ! that'll do. Now, my beauties, show 'em sport." And they did ; I 

 never saw dogs work more beautifully. Point for point they took in that 

 clover, backing to perfection, and dropping to shot as if they'd been shot 

 ■themselves. It was perfectly lovely. Sometimes they both got points at the 

 same time ; but they never made a fault. We got seven brace of them in 

 , ones and twos. We also dug up two landrails ; and I bowled over a hare at 

 long range, which Tom tailored badly, breaking her hind leg, and right in 

 front of Don. The old dog gave a start ; but, recollecting himself, stiflfened 

 down again instantly. It was very grand — that power of recollection and 

 training over the natural impulse ; and I made much of him, and let him 

 have a sniff at it, which he did with great satisfaction, till Sam said gravely, 

 "War' hare, Don! " when Don looked as if he'd been taken down at class 

 for spelling hare with an "i," and he came behind me and looked up at me 

 as if to ask me to help him up again. 



We finished off at a gap into a bye-road, leaving seven birds for stock ; 

 and to us came a lad with a half-gallon of sparkling ale, which, as the 

 morning grew warm, was particularly grateful, and we sat and smoked a 

 small Lopez each. That was the brand in those days, and a very good brand 

 it was. It was the first cigar that I remember with a label round it. 



" What next, Sam ? " 



"Well, sir, I was a-thinkin' that if we could get 'old of that 'ere 

 big covey down in Stumpshire's mustard they'd give us some work. They 

 be a sight ! Thirty birds, and fine 'uns too ! " 



" What ! in one covey, Sam ? How is that ? " I asked. 



" Well, sir, there was a eighteen and a fourteen in that mustard, and a 

 dratted cat o' Stumpshire's carried off the old cock one night, and the old hen 

 the next, out of the fourteen, I see'd him^; and I gi'im jack up the orchard, 

 too ; and the poor little cheepers run about callin' till they got in with 

 the eighteen, and the old uns took to 'em, and werv proud they seems to 



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