242 SHOOTING THE PARTRIDGE 



their share of the week's pleasure by a miserable 

 couple of hard-shot rabbits, and dismissed without a 

 word of thanks for whatever good-will they may have 

 put into a task where so much depends upon the 

 existence of this quality if they are treated in this 

 way, what wonder if their attitude towards sport and 

 shooters is merely one of sulky if not declared hostility ? 



Is it too much to suggest that something should 

 be done at the close of a shooting week which would 

 convert it into a joyful occasion for these men, in 

 whose hands lies so much of the success or failure of 

 what is after all a party of pleasure ? As a rule I am 

 afraid, though they are important members of the 

 party, they are not sharers of the pleasure. Would 

 not a small distribution of extra backsheesh, or even 

 a good hot supper or dinner, be cheerfully contributed 

 by the guests who have enjoyed the fruits of their 

 labours ? If the host did not like to let his guests 

 contribute to this, would he not find it politic to con- 

 tribute it himself? Would it be a serious addition to 

 the heavy expense of entertaining a large party for a 

 modern shooting week ? And might it not prove the 

 best invested portion of his outlay ? 



Again, why should not the guests contribute? 

 At one well-known house in Yorkshire there is a 

 ' box for the drivers ' and I have the best reasons for 



