MY OLD DOG TRIM. 93 



that I could neither see through nor over ; I was mad, but 

 nevertheless we went f ^r him again. His next flight was 

 short and we soon four d him in a bunch of laurel. Making 

 up my mind that something must be done, I made a rush for 

 the bunch, and, as I went in, heard him derisely chuckle at 

 me, and then, with victorious clapping of wing, he was off ; 

 but he lit'le knew with what momentum I had charged that 

 " forlorn hope." I got through somehow and was in time to 

 "cut him down in his pride." How Trim's eyes did sparkle, 

 and how his tail did wiggle ! With what exultant feelings I 

 proceeded to load, meanwhile, as was my wont, talking to 

 Trim and telling him what mighty Nimrods we were. When 

 Trim went to bring it I soon saw th it it was only winged, 

 but I had no fear, as it was impossible for a woucded bird to 

 get away from him. As he was gone longer than usual I 

 started after him and was much surprised to meet him com- 

 ing back with head and tail clear down, and without the 

 bird : when he saw me he sullenly led the way to a ledge of 

 rock under which the confounded bird had taken refuge, se- 

 cure as though he were a thousand miles away. 



I will draw the curtain here ; our woe was too sacred for 

 profane eyes. It was now sundown, and to avoid the track- 

 less forest I concluded to skirt the edge, as, although a mile 

 or two further, it would be easier. We had gone but a short 

 distance when from under an old tree top out went as many 

 as twenty grouse ; droping one right and left, I did not wait 

 to load, but sent Trim after them. He brought them in, but 

 so badly did he feel about losing that bird that the customary 

 wag of his tail was entirely wanting, and he showed no dis- 

 position to follow up the birds just started, but gloomily fol- 

 lowed close at heel. Not being very well acquainted with 

 the ground, and as it was pitch dark, it took us four weary 

 hours to get back to the team. Trim sulked all the way, and 

 not even the memory of that beautiful double could dissipate 

 the sadness from my mind. 



The next morning, taking a friend along, we drove near to 

 the place where I had started so many birds. As soon as we 

 stopped to hitch the horse Trim bolted for the ledge at the 



