HORSE Y DISTRICT 203 



some of the marshes, let us hope to his advantage. Coming 

 to a bean stubble in close proximity to a barley stubble, 

 upon both of which part of the crop has been left, pre- 

 sumably because it was not worth garnering, we take 

 advantage of the neglect, as it is more than probable it 

 affords cover to birds, although not protection. 



" We carefully walk both the stubbles, and add to the bag 

 considerably by so doing, picking up in all three hares and 

 seven partridges. Several more marshes had been ploughed, 

 but here we find nothing except one or two snipe, which 

 spring from the bare land a hundred yards or more away. 



" Now we arrive at an oasis upon this desert of marshland 

 a small clump of trees, covering in all about a quarter of 

 an acre, with a scant undergrowth of elder bushes and 

 nettles. We do not expect to find much here, but at the 

 same time we brush it with great care, although we only add 

 one wood - pigeon and a water - hen to the bag by the 

 effort. 



" Next we cross several fine marshes, which give better 

 pasture than any we have yet visited. They are unpro- 

 ductive of game, and for nearly an hour we do not get the 

 opportunity of firing a single shot. 



" Leaving the marshes we come to a stretch of osier beds 

 and swamps, overgrown with tall rushes, reeds and water- 

 weeds lying near to the River Thurne. Posting ourselves at 

 opportune stands for commanding the most likely places 

 that game may break cover from, we give our canine 

 companions full liberty to hunt at their pleasure. Whilst 

 thus posted, and intently watching the ends of the osier 

 bed, which immediately adjoins the reed swamps, a large 

 otter comes from the former, and before we are fully able 

 to make sure of its identity it has disappeared beneath the 

 surface of the water. Loud are our lamentations, but had 

 we shot and killed the spaniel the lamentations would have 

 been louder. Vainly do we hunt for almost an hour, trying 

 to drive the otter into a place where we can obtain a shot at 

 him, but in this broadland swamp he defies our efforts, and 



