172 WARWICK WOODLANDS. 



big swamp ; but for one good day we have ten bad ones. 

 However, we are sure to find a dozen birds or so in Hell-Hole ; 

 and a bevy of quail in the Captain's swamp, shan't we, Tom ?" 



" Yes, if we gits so far; but somehow or other I rather guess 

 we'll find quite a smart chance o' cock. Captain Reed was 

 down there a' Satterday, and he saw heaps on 'em." 



" That's no sure sign. They move very quickly now. Here 

 to-day and there to-morrow," said Archer. " In the large 

 woods especially. In the small places there are plenty of sure 

 finds.' 1 



<k There harn't been nothing of frosts yet keen enough to stir 

 them," said Tom. " I guess we'll find them. And there harn't 

 been a gun shot off this three weeks there. Hoel's wife's ben 

 down sick all the fall, and Halbert's gun busted in the critter's 

 hand." 



"Ah! did it hurt him ?" 



" Hurt him some skeart him considerable, though. I guess 

 he's quit shootin' pretty much. But come here we be, boys. 

 I'll keep along the outside, where the walkings good. You git 



next me, and Archer next with the dogs, and A inside of 



all. Keep right close to the cedars, A ; all the birds 'at 



you flushes will come stret out this aways. They never flies 

 into the cedar swamp. Archer, how does the ground look ?" 



" I never saw it look so well, Tom. There is not near so 

 much water as usual, and yet the bottom is all quite moist and 

 soft." 



" Then we'll get cock for sartain." 



" By George !" cried A , " the ground is like a honey- 

 comb, with their borings ; and as white in places with their 

 droppings, as if there had been a snow fall !" 



" Are they fresh droppings, A ?" 



" Mark ! Ah ! Grouse ! Grouse ! for shame. There he is 

 down. Do you see him, Harry ?" 



" Ay ! ay ! Did Grouse flush him ?" 



" Deliberately, at fifty yards off. I must lick him." 



" Pray do ; and that mercifully." 



"And that soundly," suggested Frank, as an improvement. 



" Soundly is mercifully," said Harry, " because one good flog- 

 ging settles the business ; whereas twenty slight ones only ha- 

 rass a dog, and do nothing in the way of correction or preven- 

 tion." 



" True, oh king !" said Frank, laughing. " Now let us go 



