134 BEATING THE SPRINGS AND THE WOOD. 



" The masther, sir, has shot a couple o' birds 

 that time, and Mister Redmond killed a 

 rabbit wud both barrels." 



And so on, until we arrive at the bridge at 

 the end of the wood, where we find the luncheon 

 hamper waiting for us, and after levying a toll 

 on its contents, we consult my uncle as to our 

 campaign. 



" You must come on to the Doctor's with 

 us, of course, Tom ? " 



" Yes, he expects me, I believe, and whether 

 he did or not, I should go.' ? 



"Then we have only an hour and a half 

 to shoot at most, and the sooner we start off 

 again the better. Mr. Staunton, there is no 

 use in your shirking your work." 



Fred is not in as good a condition as the 

 rest of the party, and rather reluctantly allows 

 himself to slide from the parapet of the bridge 

 on which he has been sitting. 



We shot with a steady success on our route 

 to Draycourt, Dr. Phelan's residence. Dray- 

 court was an exceedingly pretty spot. Even 

 now, in the depth of winter, though the old 

 avenue trees were bare, there was a solemn, 



