A HIGHLAND SALMON RIVER. 115 



field might seem dull work with their skill ; but 

 in wild shooting, where every shot is ;i triumph, it 

 must be nice to make fine practice." 



" Yes, when one thinks of it; just like a poet 

 polishing off a gem of a stanza, or Millais putting in 

 a perfect touch of colour." 



kv Or Hope Ward breathing a velvet note through 

 his trumpet.' 1 



" Cornet, you savage. Trumpets are the rude 

 noisy things you soldiers use: as well try to shave 

 with your sabre as attempt a delicacy on the 

 trumpet." 



" Yet I have seen a beard neatly taken off with the 

 sabre." 



" And the head along with it, perhaps." 



"The Ghoorkas are dons at that work. See, that 

 is a Ghoorka sword next the matchlock there ; take it 

 down, and feel it." 



" Heavy, but efficient, no doubt ; Fred would call 

 this a rum shaver." 



" Yet with that sword a crack swordsman will 

 nearly behead a bullock at a stroke." 



" Hear these beastly owls hooting ; I wish some- 

 body would behead them, they make such a row at 

 night." 



i 2 



