SHAUN RUADHA. 



very life cannot suppress a whimpering petition 

 for release to join actively in the fun. At the 

 instant there is a rush of pinions, and seven 

 wild duck have put themselves well out of shot 

 before their whereabouts has been distinctly 

 ascertained. And so there is no longer any 

 use in keeping in the dogs, and they com- 

 mence to range the soaked and sodden marsh. 

 Bob has only coursed round a single turn when 

 he throws his head aloft, and then marches 

 gravely to a solitary tuft of tall bog-grass, and 

 becomes as fixed as marble before it. Nell 

 from afar off imitates his deportment, and then 

 Shaun advances to perform his part, and as he 

 thwacks the grass puss dashes from her retreat, 

 and at thirty yards is stopped with the best 

 part of an ounce and a quarter of No. 8. 



Why does Shaun of a sudden (he not being 

 at all in the line of fire) tumble flat on his face 

 and begin to whistle ? Behold ! in the air a 

 great army of golden plover already hearkening 

 and replying to the shrill, querulous piping of 

 the cunning Shaun. The squadron has its 

 scouts, its Uhlans, its wary videttes, but is with- 

 drawn so far from earth at present that it defies 



