PARTRIDGES AND PHEASANTS. 157 



scorched ground, give a new lease of life to vegetation, and 

 thus the woodlands are often as thick when the close time 

 ends as they were in "leafy June." Generally it was so, 

 and, as a consequence, though we may go round the outly- 

 ing gorses, the main body of birds find security and a strong- 

 hold in the coverts, until the verge of November. By this 

 time, if the game-room is not full it ought to be. Such, at 

 least, was the opinion of a friend of ours the other day when 

 he wrote and begged we would come over for a preliminary 

 " dusting " of the pheasant, and lend our assistance in the 

 replenishing of his larder, upon which hospitality and 

 generosity made constant calls ; and, though we knew the 

 sort of shooting to-morrow would not be our idea of perfect 

 sport we went. 



Reasonably early next morning, our host, L , J , 



and myself, are seated at a substantial breakfast in the 

 dining hall of the house, laying in a foundation for the day's 

 work. But when the meal is over, and we have betaken 

 ourselves to the smoking-room for a quiet pipe, we stand, 

 hands in pockets, looking out of the windows, while our 

 courage sinks at sight of a steady November downpour 

 almost hiding the landscape. Yet the game room requires 



replenishing for an approaching festival. As J remarks, 



it is not the rain we mind so much, but will the birds rise 

 or the beaters work properly in such weather ? However, 

 presently our host throws away the stump of his cigar with 

 an impatient ejaculation, asking whether we are to stand 

 watching all day for a bit of blue sky, which obviously is 

 not coming, or if we will brave the elements. We vote for 

 a move at once, and while donning our waterproofs, the 

 shooting trap comes round to the door with a pair of strong 



bays in the traces. L takes the reins, I mount beside 



him, while J and the footman scramble in behind, with 



the guns under their feet. 



Fortune is a fickle jade, it has been somewhat disrespect- 

 fully observed, and no sooner are we off than a glint of 



