268 SPORTING STORIES 



the next morning, and accompany his host to the coverts. 

 The morning came, and with it the guest, not in the 

 customary garb, but in a sort of dress suit, with shoes and 

 silk stockings. The squire eyed him with contempt, 

 summed him up as being no sportsman, and, feeling sure 

 that his pheasants were quite safe, made some excuse for 

 not accompanying him. So off went " Mr Pelham " with 

 the keeper, whilst the squire, shaking with merriment, 

 watched them from a window. About an hour later, a 

 keeper rushed in out of breath. 



" Beg pardon sir, — but that gentleman in the dancing- 

 shoes and " 



" It's all right, William," interrupted his master com- 

 placently. " He will only frighten the birds ; he never shot 

 anything in his life." 



" Then he's begun with a vengeance, sir." 



" What do you mean ? " asked the squire, starting up. 



" Why, he's bringin' of 'em down right and left, never 

 misses, and he's killed Lord knows how many already ! " 



" What ! " screamed the squire, " The devil he has. I 

 must see to this." 



And, waiting to hear no more, he flew hatless to the 

 coverts, directed by the incessant report of the gun. 

 When he came up he found that the dandy who " never 

 hit anything, by Jove," had already bagged five hares and 

 thirty pheasants. 



" What's the meaning of this, sir ? " demanded the squire, 

 white with passion. " I thought you told me you never 

 killed anything." 



" Did I ? " said the dandy coolly, bringing down a cock 

 as he spoke. 



" Stop, sir, this is not sport ; it's murder ! " cried the 

 agonised preserver. But the other calmly dropped another 

 bird with his second barrel. 



" Stop, I say. Who and what the devil are you, sir ? " 



" Captain Ross, at your service," answered the dandy, 

 with a low bow. " Don't be annoyed, my dear sir : it is 

 only to decide a little bet that I would get a day's shooting 

 out of you. There is no harm done. Keep your game ; 

 you can sell it to the poulterer. Good morning." 



