168 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



than any quadruped that ever came under 

 his hands, he was never wrong, and would 

 find more birds than all his lordship's 

 kennel put together. Independently of 

 fetching his game in very superior style, 

 he was an excellent retriever. 



On one occasion, I remember particu- 

 larly, on returning home in the evening 

 with his master, after a hard day's shoot- 

 ing, the dog stopped at the side of a 

 hedge ; he was walked up to and en- 

 couraged ; he dashed in, and up got a 

 tine cock pheasant. The bird was hit 

 hard, and he towered, but went off at 

 least a quarter of a mile. " Right" was 

 sent after him, although we could not see 

 exactly the direction he was taking, as 

 we were much below the ground he had 

 to pass over. We ascertained afterwards 

 that the dog had gone through a cover, 

 had swam a canal, and crossed several 

 ditches. He returned to us after an ab- 



