On the Borders of Dartmoor 133 



much, and getting up an easy shot, was 

 promptly cut down. Now we came to a 

 long, rough grass field with rushes at the 

 bottom, and the keeper opined we might 

 find two coveys. Well, we found one large 

 covey ; the Skipper got his right and left, 

 and I killed one bird, and tailored the other 

 shamefully, and this occurred three or four 

 times. Old Charles looked mighty indignant, 

 and shouted in smothered anger: " Better miss 

 'em right out ; them birds be gwine awaay to 

 doie." The Skipper remarked: " What's up, 

 old chap? That's not your usual form." 

 Suddenly it flashed through my mind that I 

 had in my hurry probably brought away 

 some lightly loaded cartridges which we had 

 used for young rook shooting, and on 

 investigation this proved to be the case. 

 My cartridge bag was emptied and sorted 

 out, the offensive cartridges being deposited 

 in Charles' capacious pocket. 



