THE LAST DAY AT ClIEE-IIA. 223 



have disposed of them, thus artistically, excuse me!" 

 and my wounded self-love led me to a recital of 

 incidents perfectly true, yet so nearly akin to vain- 

 glorious boasting, that even now I redden beneath 

 my visor at the recollection! "It was by good 

 luck, then, that I once killed two bucks with one 

 barrel ! Loveleap you saw this ! By good luck, 

 that, at another time, I killed two does with one 

 barrel! then, too, you were present. By good 

 luck that I killed, in two days' hunt, five deer in five 

 shots not missing a shot! By good luck that I 

 killed thirty wild ducks at a fire ! (but why speak 

 of that ; any one can shoot in a flock !) It is by 

 good luck, I suppose, that I throw up a piece of 

 silver coin, and batter it while in the air, into the 

 shape of a pewter mug ! or, laying my gun upon a 

 table before me, fling up two oranges successively 

 before I touch the gun, then snatch it up, and strike 

 them both before they reach the earth, one with 

 each barrel ! Luck luck nothing but luck ! Be it 

 so ; but when you have beaten this shot, $nd killed 

 three bears with one barrel, let me know it, I pray 

 you, and I will try my luck again ! But while we 

 waste time in talk, the scent gets cold. There are two 

 other bears which took that foot-path there ; let us 

 pursue them and good luck to the expertest sports- 

 man in the field. I shall not fire another shot to-day !" 



