The Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse 201 



they wouldn't, they took wing. A quick snap 

 shattered one, and at the instant I realized the 

 need of swift action, for the other was covered by 

 the stack. I gave a wild leap, luckily to the right 

 side, caught a glimpse of the bird near fifty yards 

 away, pulled on general principles, and saw it sail 

 away for perhaps one hundred yards. Not bother- 

 ing over watching it further, I picked up my bird 

 and turned laughing toward my comrade, for the 

 whole thing, of course, was a joke. 



He was propped on his hands and toes, and 

 staring in the direction of the lost grouse. 

 " Steady, you ! " I shouted at him, for he looked 

 ridiculously like an overgrown, bobtailed pointer. 

 He laughed as he straightened, but the laugh 

 sounded oddly. 



" You came mighty near losing this gun ; if it 

 hadn't been for that infernal stack, I'd have tum- 

 bled the pair of 'em," I continued as I returned 

 v he twelve-gauge. 



" Ya-as," he drawled, " I came mighty near 

 losing the gun. I was certain they'd both fool 

 you, they usually go off a stack like that one that 

 got away." 



" How about my little airy prancing ; ain't I 

 quite a mover ? " 



" You are quite a bucking broncho ; I had no 

 idea a two-hundred-pounder could be so nimble ; 

 where'd you learn such tricks ? " 



