THE rJFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



fool,' said our hero. ' Do you look out for two brace of the 

 best young setters you can lind, and leave the rest to me.' 



' But the retrievers, sir,' resumed the keeper ; ' where shall 

 I ' 



' Oh ! leave them to me,' was the young Squire's reply. ' Lord 

 Dauntley has recommended me to a dog-dealer in London, who 

 will furnish them to me, but I suppose I shall have to pay the 

 rascal an infernal price for good ones.' 



' No doubt, sir,' observed the keeper ; ' and wouldn't it be 

 well, sir, first of all, to know that they be good ones ; for, if they 

 shouldn't be good, I doubt you would have some trouble to get 

 your money back ? ' 



' Well, leave that to me,' said Frank ; ' look you to the setters ; 

 and now go about your business ; but don't come home without 

 at least three couple of cocks, as I want to send two couple to 

 London.' 



The keeper touched his hat, and walked off; and, just as 

 he was beginning to cogitate, was holloaed back by his young- 

 master, who thus somewhat imperiously addressed him : — 



' Oh ! Perren, I forgot to mention one thing to you. I 

 don't think I shall ever be really fond of coursing. In the 

 first place, it is too slow a sport for me ; and, in the next, I 

 think it breeds petty jealousies amongst the owners of dogs. 

 In fact, I am now about to give a proof of the latter objection. 

 I am determined that leather-headed parson, Roberts, shall no 

 lono-er be the champion of our coursing meeting. He has now 

 won the cup three years following, but he must have a check. 

 Those brindled devils of his will not be hard to beat : there- 

 fore, you must look out for some of the best blood that can be 

 found.' 



' And where will I get it, sir ? ' demanded the keeper ; ' I 



knows nobody that has ' 



^-. 'Stop; never mind the greyhounds, you may leave them to 

 me, and go on for the present with your own mongrels, who, I 

 must acknowledge, seldom miss a hare, although they all run 

 foul,' continued our hero : ' Lord Dauntley will be the man 

 to apply to, as he is a member of the SwifFham meeting. 

 Only mind this, I am determined to beat that old parson, cost 

 what it may.' 



Exit Mr. Perren, lieaving a deep sigh, and muttering to him- 

 self — ' I wish all this may end well.' 



160 



