332 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



anatomy may show both above and beyond the post. 

 But let even the crown of that man's head appear above 

 the densest clump of reed-cover that ever flourished on 

 marsh or fen, and I warrant those same wary fowl will 

 turn quickly to the " right about " long enough before 

 they have flown within range of his gun, be it what bore 

 it may. Aware of this fact, I motioned Grouse to heel, 

 and making myself as small as possible, I anxiously 

 watched the flight of the mallard. On and on they came, 

 still heading towards me. Suddenly the " pricked " bird, 

 which had been gradually lagging behind its fellows, 

 dropped like a stone into a patch of dry rushes, and, before 

 he could be restrained, away went Grouse to retrieve it. 

 Upon sighting the dog the remaining three ducks turned 

 of! left-handed, but, although quite sixty-five yards off, 

 the leading bird offered such a tempting crossing- shot 

 that I pulled, and somewhat to my surprise he fell with a 

 wing down. 



Having gathered H 's cripple, the dog went to 



retrieve my own, a young, but fat, mallard in immature 

 plumage, which my henchman immediately despatched 

 with a bite through the head, remarking, as he performed 

 that delicate operation, " Doubt he 'ont quack no more, 

 master." 



We had scarcely commenced working the dyke when 

 Grouse stood to a clump of rank grass growing under the 

 sea-wall, and the next moment a big hare jumped up 

 from under the old dog's nose, and with " lugs " laid low 

 she raced along the base of the embankment at a pace 



