THE PINNATED GROUSE. 77 



he moved slowly ahead, stopping every few feet 

 and sniffing delicately at the breeze now coming 

 cool and fresh and carrying scent a long way. 

 More than half across a forty-acre stubble he led 

 us, and then refused to go farther. Full forty 

 yards ahead of him we went, when a big grouse 

 bustled out of the stubble and skimmed away 

 unshot at. 



"An old cock," said some one, as nothing 

 more rose. But Prince still kept his point, and 

 just as we began to doubt him two young grouse 

 rose from near the center of the party and in 

 front of one of the strangers, who was looking 

 down at the very spot from which they rose. 

 He singed the tail-feathers of one with his first, 

 and my ear still rings from the report of his 

 second barrel. At the reports more birds 

 bounced out all around, some even behind us, on 

 which some of the party must almost have trod- 

 den, and for a few seconds confusion reigned 

 supreme. 



