THE SrORTSMAN IN RETIREMENT. 341 



If I acliiovo one particle of tins, if I have 

 succeeded in my endeavour to win for any life 

 2)rotection, faitli, and charity, or attained any good 

 for those whose origin is so mysterious, and whose 

 licreafter is so veiled, then I shall not have written 

 in vain ; and when the time comes — the sad, but 

 not the dreaded time — when I must resign the 

 saddle, lay down the otter-spear, the salmon-rod, 

 the rifle, and the shot-gun, as I have already put 

 by the quarter-stafP, single-stick, and boxing-gloves, 

 tlien my heart, with unrepining resignation, will 

 meet the ^^ common fate" from wliich none can 

 escape, and bow before that high behest which 

 neither gives nor seeks a challenge, nor owns a 

 call from man. 



