MANAGEMENT OF MOORS 75 



when down it went again, and the covey at his 

 tail flattened themselves on the instant. "They 

 are on us ! " said he. 



The wide valley that they had last seen so 

 empty and so peaceful was neither empty nor 

 peaceful now. Not 150 yards away two dogs 

 were scouring in opposite directions, a little 

 behind them walked three men, each carrying 

 something that glinted like a rod of glass in the 

 sunshine, and behind these came two others bend- 

 ing beneath burdens. The dogs turned simul- 

 taneously, crossed, and then turned again. The 

 Old Cock watched them with the keenness of a 

 connoisseur. 



" One looks like a pup," he remarked, " but I 

 know that old white chap well. I remember 

 sitting under his ugly nose for ten minutes one 

 day, and then getting up 100 yards off. That's 

 the real fun of the thing, my cheepers ! May you 

 live to enjoy it ! " 



" They will find us this tack for certain, 11 said 

 his spouse a little anxiously. 



Even as she spoke, the other dog, a long-legged 

 black-and-tan setter, stopped in the midst of his 

 range so suddenly and stiffly that it looked as if 

 he were turned into stone. "Not so bad for a 

 pup!" said the Old Cock with professional 

 enthusiasm. " Now, cheepers, the entertainment 

 has begun ! Follow me ! " 



The white dog was rigid too, and the three 

 men with the shining guns were quickening their 



