490 Notes on Sport and Travel ix 



youth (he was not much more than sixty) most 

 piteously. On examination, however, it appeared 

 that the extent of the mischief was the receipt of a 

 good-sized buck-shot just below the knee ; and by 

 the aid of a pocket-handkerchief and a Hberal 

 application of that true poor man's plaster, small 

 change, he was soon as lively as ever. 



Instead of being at all abashed at his clumsiness, 

 my friend seemed rather elated at having hit 

 something, and glorified himself over the marvellous 

 shooting powers of his gingerbread pop-gun. Happen- 

 ing to glance my eye towards him after the beaters 

 had returned to their posts, I saw, to my intense 

 horror, that he was loading with ball, in order to 

 ensure a kill at his next chance. Horrified, as I 

 said before, I entreated him to desist ; but he only 

 grinned, and continued hammering. Flesh and 

 blood could stand no more, and pointing my gun 

 at him, I swore by all the Powers, that if he did 

 not get out of sight and shot round the corner, I 

 should feel obliged to give him such a dose of ' No. 

 6 ' as would spoil his shooting for that day at least. 

 Evidently feeling the force of my arguments, he 

 obeyed with alacrity, and left me in peace. 



Our little discussion had apparently been heard 

 and appreciated by the beasts of the forest. I stood 

 under my tree, straining my ears to catch the 

 warning crack of a rotten stick, or the light rustling 

 patter of roe or hare over the dry leaves, but 

 nothing came ; and leaning against it, I tried to 



