FOR YOUNG SHOOTERS 21 



that. And we're all of us taxed to keep a chap like 

 that in comfort. Why, you're paid to be shot at 

 that's what you're there for, you and your thin red 

 line, and all that. By Jupiter ! we don't get our 

 money's worth out of you if you're going to cut and 

 run before a poor, weak, harmless woodcock. 



[Military Sportsman is heavily chaffed.'] 



Military Sportsman. Oh, it's all very well for 

 you Johnnies to gas like that but, by gad, you 

 didn't seem over-anxious to stand fire yourselves. 

 Why, your teeth are chattering still, Binks. 



Binks. Ah, but I'm only a poor civilian. 



Military Sportsman. Well, I cut and ran as 

 a civilian. See ? Did anyone shoot the bloomin' 

 bird, after all ? 



The Host. Shoot him ? I should think not. 

 The last I saw of him he was sailing off quite com- 

 fortable, cocking snooks at the whole lot. Have 

 another go of pie, Johnny ? 



So that is the Great Woodcock Saga, the 

 absolute accuracy of which every sportsman is 

 bound to recognise. And the great truth that 

 burst upon me is this, that if you want to restore 

 good temper to a shattered party, you must start 

 talking about woodcocks. If you saw a woodcock 



