272 The Sporting Dog 



" I agree with the dog," laughed my men- 

 tor. " I wouldn't pick up such a butcher's job. 

 If you're going to use that gun on anything 

 but ducks and crows, you'll have to give some 

 distance." 



Meanwhile Hicks had been called up. They 

 were sent across the field again without results. 

 We returned to the buggy and drove on, letting 

 the dogs range along at will, though the doctor 

 kept an eye on them. As we approached the 

 judge's big swinging gate they were ordered again 

 into the buggy and lay there, panting, but quiet, 

 as we drove up the lane to the roomy old white 

 house. The judge was looking for us. 



" Good mornin', Eddy. Good mornin', young 

 man. Come in, come in. We'll have dinner in 

 a few minutes. Sharp at twelve's the order to 

 Maria to-day for the hunters. How's your wife, 

 Eddy ? I was just thinkin' about your father last 

 night. I'll have a boy watch your dogs." 



This last was superfluous, as the judge knew. 

 But he went through the form. 



" Never mind the dogs, judge. They will stay 

 in the buggy. Just put the horse up anywhere." 



He held up a finger and spoke sternly to the 

 dogs. 



" Quiet, now. Mind." The buggy moved off 

 to the big stable yard, the dogs accepting the 

 situation and getting ready for a nap. 



