CH. x.] INSTANCES OF FINE ROADING. 173 



291. I was looking for grouse where I thought that there might 

 be some, but was sure there could not be many. After beating for 



CARRYING A POINT, AND CARRYING A POINTER. Par. 289. 



a considerable time unsuccessfully, the youngest of the dogs that 

 were hunting made a stanch point. I got up to him ; nothing rose. 

 I encouraged him to press on. He did so, and at a convenient pace 

 which allowed me to keep parallel with him. He so seldom stopped, 

 and bristled so little, that I thought he was making a fool of me. 

 Still, as he now and then looked round sagaciously, as if to say 

 " There really is game a-head," I did not like to tell him of my 

 suspicions. Though my patience was sorely tried, for he led me a 

 distance which I dare not name, I resolved to let him have his 

 own way, and to see what would be the result, satisfied that undue 

 precipitance on my part might effect more evil than could arise from 

 an erroneous participation in his proceedings. At length, when my 

 good resolutions were all but exhausted, and I was thinking of 

 chiding the dog for his folly, we approached a bare spot, free from 

 heather : up sprung a noble cock-grouse, challenging splendidly. 



292. I had been so perplexed, and was, I am ashamed to say, so 

 unnerved, that, though the bird went off in a line directly from me, 

 I missed him with both barrels ; I don't know when I was more 

 vexed : nothing but my bungling lost the young dog the reward he 

 so richly deserved. 



