I 



CHAPTER VII. 



IX THE FIELD. 



N the preceding chap'ers all of cur work has been of a pre- 

 liminary charac'er. We have expended much time and 

 patience in order to perfect cur pupil in the rudiments of the 

 edtication-tbat is so indispensable to that pride of the sports- 

 man's heart, a g x>d dog. Long ago we thought our pet was 

 just about perfection in the performance of his duties and 

 have anxi usly awaited the coming of the crisp October daya 

 that we might put to the test our hopes, and, by actual trial 

 in the field, demonstrate how much of wisdom pertains to 

 the course tbat we have pursued. Do we live amon:; the 

 forest -crowned hills, the home of the lordly ruffed grouse ; 

 long ago we have located several broods cf these regal bird?, 

 and as we have paid them an occasional visif, how our blood 

 has warmed up, how our nerves have thrilled as we fondly 

 dreamed cf the spirt in r tore for us when the falling leaf 

 should proclaim that 



The hunter's glorious days have come, 



The best of all the year ; 

 When through the woodland shales we roam 



With royal sport to cheer. 



Should our home be toward the setting sun on the broad 

 prairio, whose vast expanse teems with numberless broods of 

 the toothsome chicken, with ever-growing delight and satis- 

 faction have we wi'nes=ed from day to day the added 

 strength of the whirring pinion, and with ever-increasing 

 impatience at laggard time's slow flight have we awaited the 

 dawn of the auspicious day that brings such wealih of joy to 

 the sportsman's heart. Or, perchance, our hopes of happi- 

 ness are turning to the pride of the stubbles, the gamy, beauti- 

 ful quail. How eagerly have we beaten the feeding grounds, 

 and as the merry bevy, with tumultous roar, have burst upon 

 our sight, how have we, with throbbing pulse, watched the 

 flitting wings, aid cirefu'ly marked their flight as they 



