306 PARTRIDGES 



other three, each in turn making a little 

 somersault as it passes overhead, to fall 

 dead on the turf behind. 



For the next ten minutes partridges 

 stream over, and you settle down to the 

 work ; your loader is quick and handy, 

 clever at reaching the gun well forward 

 into your hand there is no fumbling 

 with cartridges or mishaps in changing 

 guns. Your eye is well in, and though 

 you miss a few, most of your shots are 

 followed by a pleasant thud on the turf 

 behind. Before the beaters are in, your 

 barrels are burning hot, and you are 

 glad to slip on a glove to protect your 

 left hand. 



But the best of things must have an 

 end ; the stream of birds slackens and 

 then stops. The beaters come into 

 sight on the top of the bank, and the 

 drive of your life is over. Forty -five 

 partridges and half - a - dozen pheasants 

 form your contribution to the total, in 

 killing which you have used just over 

 seventy cartridges no bad proportion, for 



