132 SHOOTING THE PARTRIDGE 



miss, sometimes two running, generally poking shots 

 at birds which have passed close by while you were 

 changing guns, and which somehow baffle you against 

 the rising stubble behind. Why you don't know, but 

 you miss three or four in the same place and in the 

 same way, though otherwise you are ' all right.' A 

 great big lot. three or four coveys packed together, 

 pours out at the upper end over the left hand, and, 

 swinging round in the wind, heads straight down the 

 line of guns. Here they come, streaming high and 

 fast, getting a broadside from each of the men on 

 your left. ' One two ' with your first gun, ' three 

 four ' with your second the last a beauty, and as 

 they come clattering down like cricket balls about the 

 head of your right-hand neighbour, you feel you have 

 done your duty. 



A hare leaps through a run in the fence bottom, 

 sits foolishly with ears laid back for a second, and 

 then dashes for it past you. Let her go, she will do 

 to breathe the farmer's greyhounds in February ; 

 ' here's metal more attractive,' for birds are still com- 

 ing. But the whimpering of your retriever at the 

 close view of the forbidden fur, and the consequent 

 objurgations of the keeper behind, sufficiently 

 distract you to make you snap at and miss an 

 easy bird in front with your first, and turn and 



