A BR UMMA GEM GUN. 15 



he was a proficient with the " cheese," his fists, 

 or gun, I know not, but I never knew him by any 

 other name than " Knock 'em Down." He had 

 generally a spaniel or pointer for sale; some- 

 times he flew at higher game, and had a pony, 

 or, if he was in full feather, a nag to dispose of. 



This Saturday night he made his appearance, 

 and was unusually mysterious. 



" Young captain" (the name I went by my 

 father was the colonel), " I should like to speak 

 to you. I've a got something I think as will 

 tickle your fancy." 



" All right, Knock 'em Down," I replied, as 

 well as I could, between whiffs of tobacco which 

 was gradually making me very sick and giddy, 

 but which I would not allow. " Peg away." 



" Well sir," he said, " I've got a gun, a good'un, 

 too, for sale, and a prime span'el. The party a 

 friend of mine, a keeper, as 'as been blowed 

 upon, and 'as Booked it will sell cheap, but 

 won't part the lot. I can take three sovs for 

 them ; or, if paying the chips now ain't conve- 

 nient, say in a month's time. You can see 'em 

 to-morrow and decide." 



Well, on the morrow I became the purchaser. 



