20 ECHOES OF SPORT 



time. Others came full gallop, with ears well 

 laid back ; some fell, a good many did not. In 

 single file, along their run, came two, gal- 

 lopers on each other's heels. " Bang ! " the 

 leader went over ; " Bang ! ' : the second 

 followed suit. " Right and left," smiled I. 



Meanwhile from over the ridge came con- 

 stant reports. The other twenty-bore was 

 busy too. The boom of the big gun on the 

 right came only now and then. The twenty- 

 bores were having most of the fun. On the 

 edge of the foreground, away to my left, a 

 hind trotted by, looking big and dark against 

 the mist. The stags passed within sight of 

 My Lord. 



When the beaters came up, the ground 

 round me was strewn with many cartridges 

 and a good few hares. A tall grey figure came 

 into sight from her post. " Well, what have 

 you got ? " " Ten ; and you ? " " Seven." 

 " Hurrah for the little guns ! ' We laughed 

 like children, full of the best and purest 

 enjoyment in the world, that of healthy 

 outdoor sport. 



