208 KRIDER'S SPORTING ANECDOTES. 



for we carried game-bags in those days. He 

 checked his horse at once', and exasperated by a 

 look of triumph which I could not forbear, 

 jumped from his wagon and confronted us. 



" Who gave you liberty to shoot over these 

 grounds ?" he began, while the miller who was 

 with him, also alighted, and the old lady and the 

 little ones thrust their curious faces out of the 

 vehicle, in expectation of a grand row. 



" Why," says T., in his blandest way, " did 

 not you, yourself, tell us that the birds were 

 here?" 



" Yes, I did," he replied, working himself up 

 as if he found it difficult to stand our friend's 

 manner and something in his eye, " but I did 

 not tell you to come after them dang it !" 



" My good fellow," returned T., with greater 

 suavity than before, " when next you have 

 game on your place, if you wish to preserve them, 

 let me caution you against showing even so 

 much as their tail-coverts to an old snipe 

 shooter. Good morning !" 



So saying he moved on and I followed, touch- 

 ing my hat to the dame, and leaving the two 

 countrymen standing stock still in the lane, as 

 mute as mile-stones. The next day we returned 

 to the city and have heard nothing of Mr. Sluice- 

 dam and his friend since. 



