314 BROADLAND SPORT 



over that broad expanse of water and registered a vow that 

 two more days should not pass before some of the mighty 

 pike we were assured that it contained were lured forth. 

 Poling our punt up a narrow channel, through the reeds and 

 sedges, we disjointed the rods, sunk the bait can, and went 

 home. 



On the morrow we had arranged to visit the sandhills 

 where the rabbit warren was located. To those who have 

 never shot over sandhills, the experience is a novel and 

 thrilling one. We looked forward to the sport with eagerness 

 and impatience. 



During the night it froze hard, and before the sun had had 

 time to melt the hoar frost from the hedgerows, we were 

 afield with beaters and dogs. Taking on our way some of the 

 roughest and foulest stubbles we have ever walked over, we 

 put up covey after covey of partridges (mostly Frenchmen), 

 straggling little bunches of green plover, and an occasional 

 snipe. The air was still and biting, the heavy curtain of 

 white mist had not been entirely dissolved, and weary 

 migrants were observable winging their way inland after a 

 long flight over the German Ocean. 



The shyness of the birds kept them well out of harm's 

 way at the outset, but we were driving all before us, and we 

 rejoiced to see them seek the refuge of the marram grass on 

 and under the lee of the sandhills, where we knew we could 

 handle them to advantage. A quarter of a mile on the land 

 side of, and running parallel with, the sandhills was a large 

 dyke with a high wall beside it. This was for drainage 

 purposes, and also to keep the sea water from flooding the 

 marshes in case it broke through the hills. Between this wall 

 and the foreshore lay a waste land covered with rank 

 herbage. At frequent intervals stagnant pools encouraged 

 the growth of the black rush, the^evergreen rush, and sedgy 

 spear grass, whilst here and there small patches of sweet 

 grasses extended as smooth and even as the well-kept greens 

 on golf links. These luxuriant feeding-grounds were kept 

 close cropped by the rabbits, which were numerous. 



