DRIVING THE COVERS. 243 



The finish at the birchwood turned out famously. 

 Much of the game driven on before us had settled 

 there, being the last cover between us and the open 

 moors. Here we got another roe, a whole lot of 

 hares, four head of black game and a cock pheasant. 

 McKenzie and Fred were heard firing briskly, and 

 when we joined them Fred was radiant ; he had shot 

 a roe his second and their show of game, in spite 

 of misses manifold, was conceded to be creditable. 



"We now tried the bogs, got a mallard and two and 

 a-half couple of snipe, and then sat by a turf dyke 

 to have a pipe and see the game laid out for 

 inspection : a sporting show it made. 



Home being now the order, we set off in a direct 

 line, and after a smart, roughish walk, came down 

 on Dunesk before six o'clock, all being in time for 

 dinner at seven. 



In the evening, after some agreeable conversation, 

 the Laird and the three soldiers made a quartette at 

 whist. Miss Grant was delighting Fred with High- 

 land legends, while I was teaching Maggy to play 

 ecarte, being well rewarded with her merry prattle 

 and an old song which her aunt had taught her. 



I like much to associate with well-disposed young- 

 sters, boys or girls : they seem so pleased when their 



