LEAVES FJEIOM A GAME BOOK. 76 



and I was left to kill to win £750. Would that such 

 chances came oftener ! I do not think I showed 

 any outward sign of funk, but as the betting on 

 the deciding shot was very heavy, in addition to 

 the large sum at stake for myself, there was the 

 thought of losing a great deal more for my friends, 

 and I freely own to having felt a hitherto unknown 

 sensation of anxiety as I called *' Pull." Over came the 

 left-hand corner trap — my special aversion — releasing a 

 low-flying rock, which dashed off at a great pace with a 

 zig-zag flight. Before I fired the first barrel I thought, 

 ** By Jove ! I'm done ; " and a miss it was. Then, before 

 I pulled the second barrel, it flashed across me, " Take it 

 as if it were a partridge ! It's an easy shot if it was 

 game shooting ; " and acting on this inspiration, I " felt " 

 for the bird, pulled the trigger, and grassed it amidst a 

 shower of congratulations. It may read nearly impos- 

 sible that I could have thought all I have related between 

 the pull of the trap and the discharge of the second 

 barrel, but nevertheless it is the fact, and doubtlessly 

 thoughts pass through one's brain quicker even than the 



