AN OLD SPORTSMAN. 65 



and the hare, with the full contents of the 

 charge in the back of the head, rolls over and 

 over again dead upon the heather. As we are 

 so near the house, Jack, after the usual 

 " More power to yer honour ! a nate tidy 

 shot !" runs into the kitchen with the prize, 

 and Joe loads, and on we go again. There is 

 great satisfaction in being successful in the first 

 shot; it brings luck or the confidence that 

 begets luck ; but I have never known Uncle 

 Joe to miss a hare but once, and that was only 

 with the first barrel ; the second barrel stopped 

 her, though Joe was really astounded at having 

 missed her at all. Here is a small patch of 

 scrubby turnips that have been raised on this 

 unkind soil with great difficulty. Joe proposes 

 that I should try this for myself. He remains 

 outside the low ditch, but full well I know that 

 he is on full cock, and ready, on my failure, 

 within seventy yards to have his turn at any- 

 thing going. What is the matter with the 

 dogs? Where are they? By Jove, lying 

 ventre a terre in a furrow, stiff as though they 

 were cut out of marble. I walk cautiously 

 close to them. The sun is full in my eyes, but 



F 



