94 SPORTING CONTINUED. 



the life of a fellow-creature, even in self-defence, 

 as this at first-sight appeared to be, would un- 

 doubtedly have vanished before the little human 

 appearance which some of these Albanians have 

 in their countenances ; but when I looked round 

 at the man who was threatening me with the cold 

 steel of his yataghan, and saw an open counte- 

 nance, a good-natured, though fierce expression, 

 I could not for all the world, after a few mo- 

 ments' time to consider, admiring, too, as I could 

 not help doing, the boldness of attack he had so 

 imprudently made, have lifted my hand to injure 

 him. 



The altercation which followed was certainly 

 most amusing. The Albanian was fairly in a 

 nest of hornets. A dozen sportsmen were about 

 him in an instant, each burning to take the part 

 of his insulted companion, whilst I endeavoured, 

 in vain I believe, to make the Albanian compre- 

 hend the full extent of my forbearance towards 

 him in not having given him a charge of shot as 

 he ran off, for which act, I dare say he gave me 

 credit of being a very great fool. 



To return to our day's sport. The battue con- 

 tinues, our bags are becoming well filled with 



