354 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



There are other perils, also, to which the cover- 

 shooter is obnoxious. The eye is sometimes endangered 

 by pressing unguardedly through the copse wood ; 

 and I knew one case where the sight was totally lost from a 

 twig springing from a person who was struggling through 

 the underwood and striking the next who followed. 

 The legs also are frequently and severely wounded 

 by the sharp stumps which remain after a thicket has 

 been thinned. But from random shots the chief danger 

 arises ; and to prevent accidents occurring, a party, and 

 particularly if it be numerous, should be guarded in 

 selecting their stands and altering their positions. I 

 have been struck a dozen times, but never with any 

 worse effect than receiving a shot or two in my cheek 

 and ear ; but many a time I have felt a shower rattle 

 against my fustian jacket, which, however, endured it 

 bravely, as a garment of proof should do. 



Some men, from carelessness or stupidity, are really a 

 nuisance to a cover-party ; and to others, one would almost 

 ascribe a fatality, and avoid them like an evil genius. 

 In the former case, I have found, after remonstrance 

 failed, and they continued throwing their shot liberally 

 around, without apparently caring one farthing upon 

 whose person it alighted, the best cure was instantly to 

 turn a barrel as nearly in the direction of the report 

 as possible. A well-distributed charge rattling through 

 the brush wood, and falling upon the delinquent, gave, 

 practically, a hint that made him more cautious for 

 the future, and proved more effective than the most 

 powerful jobation. Of the latter class I mean unlucky 



companions, I shall particularise one. Captain M 



shot with me an entire season. He was a pretty shot, 

 and an excellent fellow ; but I never entered a cover with 



