272 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



as they migrate each succeeding spring to their northern 

 breeding-ground, his blessing goes with them in the shape 

 of a heartfelt wish that they may be netted by Pluto ere 

 they reach their destination. But those grey-lags escape 

 not only the snares of old Nick, but the guns of more 

 reputable sportsman than he, also. True, when Jack 

 was about sixteen years of age [he is grown grey as a 

 badger since then] had not the ice on the dyke, along 

 which he was crawling, caved in and let him into some 

 five feet of the foulest slime and water it is possible to 

 imagine just as he was drawing within range of a couple 

 of the birds, which were feeding close together, probably 

 at least two of the gaggle would have been scored to his 

 credit, providing, of course, that he held straight, and also 

 that his ancient muzzle-loading 8-bore had not missed 

 fire — a pleasing little knack it had with it when pointed 

 at nobler fowl than a " trip " of shanks or dunlin. But I 

 am digressing from the true gist of my yarn, and will, 

 therefore, hark back to Conway's last, and, doubtless, 

 final, attempt to stalk the grey -lags of Reedy Island. 



It was near the end of December when Jack paid his 

 annual fowling visit to the island, and scarcely had he 

 crossed the headland than old Togood, the bailiff, in- 

 formed him that " they owd grey-lags had taken to the 

 big lucerne ma'sh agin." 



Jack was quite prepared for the news, and told Togood 

 that his grey -lags might flight to a certain warm clime, 

 if he choose, for he would have nothing to say to them. 



" Now, look 'ee here, maister, I tell 'ee how yew can 



