SHOOTING. 



satisfaction and infinite glee, a hundred shooting exploits, which 

 never had existence but in his own prolific brain. 



The moment the light of the morning will enable the young 

 shooter to discern the flight of a partridge, he is impatient to 

 rush to the scene of action, and is all uneasy eagerness, while 

 his more experienced companion finishes his breakfast. The 

 resort of a covey or two is previously known; the sportsmen, 

 therefore, direct their steps to an appointed spot, where the dogs 

 come quickly to a point. The shooters advance the tyro with 

 trepid eagerness and a palpitating heart ; his veteran companion 

 with philosophic coolness. They arrive at the desired spot, 

 abreast of the foremost dog ; and, for a few seconds, in almost 

 breathless anxiety, nearly choked with expectation, the tyro 

 expects the game to spring: the covey rises, with screams and 

 eonfusion, and, at the same instant, the tyro's gun is ineffectually 

 discharged while his companion, deliberately selecting his ob- 

 ject, with one eye shut, and the other steadily directed down the 

 barrel, the bird no sooner appears at the end, than the trigger is 

 drawn, and the partridge falls. This scene is well described by 

 the author of " FOWLING" : 



Full of th* expected sport my heart beats high, 



And with impatient step I haste to reach 



The stubbles, where the scattered ears afford 



A sweet repast to the yet heedless game. 



How my brave dogs o'er the broad furrows bound, 



Quart'ring their ground exactly. Ah ! that point 



Answers my eager hopes, and fills my breast 



With joy unspeakable. How close they lie ! 



Whilst to the spot with steady pace I tend, 



Now from the ground with noisy wing they burst, 



And dart away. My victim singled out, 



In his aerial course falls short, nor skims 



Th* adjoining hedge o'er which tke rest unhurt 



Have passed. 



