HAD] ANO 



cloud of flies all round him ; the air 

 was full of their " scape " of alarm. 

 For a moment or two I could not 

 find words adequate to the occasion, 

 and then I took myself, figuratively 

 speaking, by the throat and held 

 myself down till I was calmer. 



And what are these two idiots 

 after ? I looked over the bank to see 

 them stalking with elaborate pre- 

 caution towards a bush on which 

 were perched a flock of starlings ! I 

 left them to their fun, and walked 

 back myself through the bog, and 

 succeeded in getting a few shots at 

 birds we had walked over, and found 

 myself with three couple in the bag 

 by the time I got back to the horses. 



Here I was presently joined by my 

 friends, who had succeeded in getting 

 184 



