AN ANTIQUATED EIFLE. 93 



The horses were ordered to be in readiness after break- 

 fast ; buck-shot and bullets were hunted out, shooting- 

 boots greased, and 'baccy and pocket pistols loaded to the 

 neck and stuffed in our saddle-bags. A hard day we knew 

 to be before us, so ample justice was done to our meal; 

 for, sportsmen, rely upon what I say, nothing so materially 

 assists you to withstand fatigue and cold as an ample 

 breakfast. 



A ride of about five miles took us to our ground, but as 

 our horses were fresh, and we impatient to be at work, the 

 distance was soon traversed, and we dismounted in a grove 

 of saplings, well suited to hitch our nags to and shelter 

 them from the wintry blast. 



While we are performing the necessary operation of 

 loading, a description of our armament will not be inap- 

 propriate. Will (as so I '11 call him) had an antiquated 

 uncouth rifle, with the old-fashioned, double trigger, the 

 second to set the hair-spring, an invention I had seldom 

 previously seen and never used, which, although possessed 

 of no finish, could shoot " plumb centre " ; while I myself 

 had my trusty double -barrel ten-bore, which from long 

 experience and association, I was aware had only to be 

 held straight to do correct work. 



A large swamp, about half a mile off, was a favourite 

 resort for deer, and to it we directed our steps : but before 

 we had gone half the distance, we came across numerous 

 tracks, so fresh that we kept a sharp look-out in all direc- 

 tions, hoping every moment to be gratified with the sight 

 of some antlered monarch. Failing in this, we changed 

 our tactics, friend Will posting me on the margin of a 



