Salmon Fishing. 213, 



had made up my mind to risk the danger, for 

 the sake of the fun. 



" Well,'* said he, " if you will go, you wont 

 catch me far off, for you are hardly the chap 

 to leave in the lurch !" 



There was a small covert next the road I 

 knew to be full of game, and having stationed 

 my man on the outside, I told him to keep his 

 eyes and ears open, and to give a low whistle, 

 should he see or hear anyone at hand in the 

 shape of a keeper. 



Not five minutes had slipped away before up 

 blundered a hen-pheasant through the thick 

 undergrowth, and down she dropped without a 

 struggle. I did not wait to load, and had not 

 walked ten yards, ere a splendid bird (I think I 

 see him now) with his bright plumage and long 

 tail rose in front of me, a little too close, for I 

 believe a dozen pellets must have pierced him, 

 so shaky were his legs and wings, when I picked 

 him up. Having crammed both the birds into 

 my coat-pockets, I beat a retreat without 



