DUNDAS'S BAILIFF 323 



" I've killed more snipe than ever you've seen," 

 angrily returned Dundas, who had shot snipe in India. 



" Ay, netted 'em, I doubt," muttered Rufus. 



" Scape, scape ! " and a couple of long-bills rose to- 

 gether from under the bank of the wide dyke, along which 

 Dundas was working, and went screwing up the water- 

 way. Bang ! bang ! rang out the double report of 

 his gun ; but the snipe continued on their flight 

 unscathed. 



" Not fur hoss beans," grunted out Rufus, loud 

 enough for his yoimg master to hear, who, hurling a 

 blessing at his fiery-red head, ordered him to return 

 home. 



" All roight, maister. I 'opes as 'ow you'll find the 

 planks accrost the dykes pretty easy, and, if you shoots 

 a bit straighter, I reckon you'll have plenty to carry time 

 ye leave the fleets ! " 



Dundas did not bargain for these obstacles, and ad- 

 vising the bailiff to keep his lips hermetically sealed 

 during the remainder of the walk, under penalty of a good 

 thrashing, he told him to follow on again, which he did, 

 muttering, as he went, " Ye moight hit Oi onced, but ye 

 'oodn't hit Oi twiced." 



At length the big fleet was reached, and for half-an- 

 hour or so Dundas had a lively time with the fowl, bagging 

 seven mallard, three pochard, four widgeon, and a teal, 

 during the beat along the water. More than once he 

 noticed the swirl of a heavy fish moving in the fleet, 

 and asked the bailifE what they would be. 



