AN ANTIQUATED RIFLE. 89 



hard day we knew to be before us, so ample justice 

 was done to our meal ; for, sportsmen, rely upon what 

 I say, nothing so materially assists you to withstand 

 fatigue and cold as an ample breakfast. 



A ride of about five miles took us to our ground, 

 but as our horses were fresh, and we impatient to be 

 at work, the distance was soon traversed, and we dis- 

 mounted in a grove of saplings, well suited to hitch 

 our nags to and shelter them from the wintry blast. 



While we are performing the necessary operation of 

 loading, a description of our armament will not be 

 inappropriate. Will (as so I'll call him) had an an- 

 tiquated uncouth rifle, with the old-fashioned, double 

 trigger, the second to set the hair-spring, an inven- 

 tion I had seldom previously seen and never used, 

 which, although possessed of no finish, could shoot 

 "plumb centre;" while I myself had my trusty double- 

 barrel ten-bore, which from long experience and 

 association, I was aware had only to be held straight 

 to do correct work. 



A large swamp, about half a mile off, was a favourite 

 resort for deer, and to it we directed our steps : but 

 before we had gone half the distance, we came across 

 numerous tracks, so fresh that we kept a sharp look- 

 out in all directions, hoping every moment to be grati- 

 fied with the sight of some antlered monarch. Failing 

 in this, we changed our tactics, friend Will posting me 

 on the margin of a branch of the swamp, with my back 

 against the butt of a tree, with instructions to remain 

 still and keep a sharp look-out, while he would take a 

 detour, and possibly drive some stragglers across the 

 run which my position commanded. Slowly, after 

 Will started, the time passed; the forest appeared per- 



