FOR YOUNG SHOOTERS 87 



number of pheasants. The guns are posted, the 

 beaters have begun to move at the far end of the 

 wood. Suddenly you are aware of a commotion in 

 the middle of the wood. Here and there pheasants 

 rise long before the beaters have approached. 

 There is a whirring of wings, and dozens of birds 

 sail away, unshot at, to right, to left, and all over 

 the place. And then, while you are still wondering 

 what this may mean, a fine dog-fox comes sliding 

 out from the covert. Away he goes at top speed 

 across the open. The little stops view him as he 

 passes, and far and near the air resounds with 

 shrill ' yoick ! ' and ' tally-ho ! ' In the end four 

 birds are brought to bag, where twenty at least had 

 been expected. When the beat is over, this is the 

 kind of conversation you will probably hear : 



First Beater (to a colleague). I seed un, Jim; 

 a great, fine fox 'e were, a slinkin' off jest afore we 

 coom up. ' Go it/ I says to myself; ' go it, Muster 

 Billy Fox, you bin spoilnr sport, I'll warrant, time 

 you was off ' ; and out 'e popped as sly as fifty on 

 'em, ah, that 'e was. 



Second B. Ah ! I lay 'e was that. Where did 

 'e slip to, Tom ? 



First B. I heerd 'em a hollerin' away by 



