CHAPTER X. 



SHOOTING IN ILLINOIS. 



AFTER having eaten a good dinner, changed my wet 

 clothes for dry, and made all comfortable for the 

 evening, not even gun-washing to trouble me, as 

 I whiff my glowing pipe, I feel in good fellowship 

 with all the world; and only desire, to complete 

 the enjoyment of the past day, " to fight my battles 

 o'er again." Some may smile at what they think 

 a feather-bed sportsman's fancy, but among the 

 most ardent Nimrods the retrospect of the day's 

 sport has always caused almost as much pleasure 

 as the actual performance. Who that has been out 

 in the open air from morning till night, probably 

 with damp or even wet feet, has not felt and enjoyed 

 the luxury of warm slippers, dry socks, and invigo- 

 rating ablutions? Yes, gentle reader, as I sip the 

 juice of the grape, inhale the fumes of the fragrant 



