108 GROUSE AND BLACK-GAME SHOOTING. 



enough before dark to put his powers to the proof, however 

 he may pique himself upon them. I do not mean to say 

 he must run over the ground, but keep up a steady deter- 

 mined walk, up hill and down hill, without flagging for an 

 instant, unless the dogs come upon the scent of game. 

 Of all sports, grouse-shooting is the most laborious. None 

 can stand a comparison with it except deer-stalking ; and 

 yet the veriest " soft," puffing and blowing at every step, 

 may put off a whole day upon the moors travelling them 

 I will not call it and boast after dinner that " he wonders 

 how people can find grouse-shooting so toilsome and 

 fatiguing ; fox-hunting is much more so ! " 



There are a few rules which a man not accustomed 

 to climb hills will find his account in observing, if he 

 would escape the suppressed smile of derision which his 

 flagging will be sure to excite from the sturdy hill-man 

 who carries his bag. One is, to eat a very light breakfast ; 

 another, to drink as little as possible but especially no 

 spirits and water. If you can hold out without drinking 

 till your luncheon or dinner-time, your thirst will never be 

 very oppressive ; but once begin, and the difficulty of 

 passing a clear brook is tenfold increased. The provision- 

 basket should only consist of a cold fowl or a few 

 sandwiches, and a bottle of table-beer or light ale. When 

 you again begin your exertions, make your attendant 

 carry a bottle of strong tea, without cream or sugar, which 

 will more effectually quench your thirst than a whole flask- 

 ful of spirits and water to correspond. Should any object 

 to this " tea-toted " system, a little fruit may be no bad 



