The Wild-Fowlers 55 



" I understand, sir/' 



" So, Doctor," said Seth to Bradley, 

 punching his foe of yesterday sharply in 

 his left side, " I 'm the great sportsman 

 moralist, eh ? And I 'm way up on bat- 

 tery shooting, you old dog? He tells 

 you this/' turning to Corbin, now busily 

 employed in pouring a mug of ale into 

 his capacious maw, " does he, old man- 

 atee ? Well, he 's right; I am well up 

 on battery shooting. At least I know 

 more about it than he, and, like yourself, 

 I Ve never seen the machine. But as 

 neither of you sweet little Lilliputians 

 will be able to get more than your feet in 

 the sink-box, I stand a good show of 

 having plenty of experience on my initial 

 trip. Here 's your health, nonetheless " ; 

 and Seth put away a goblet of claret and 

 sterilaris as the waiter brought on his 

 oysters and ale. 



" Never been there?" cried Corbin. 

 " Doctor, you lied to me! Why, Seth, 

 he 's been sitting here a full hour, telling 



