10 A Sportsman at Large 



willow, tit- willow," it seemed, poor little chap, to be care free, 

 and in full enjoyment of its brief span of life. 



For a moment I hesitated to make it a target for the exploita- 

 tion of my problematical skill ; but I was now on " sport " 

 (save the mark !) intent and saw red (or should I say " blue ? "). 

 Taking steady aim, I pulled the trigger. There was a terrific 

 report, and when I came to, I found myself lying prone on 

 my back. The treacherous polygroove lay by my side ; whilst 

 a few yards off, one of my paper wads was smouldering. . My 

 shoulder was dreadfully sore and my head ached consumedly ; 

 but I was keen on seeing what damage, if any, I had done to 

 the innocent tit-mouse ; so as soon as I could pull myself 

 together, I began to search for signs of the murder which I 

 had contemplated. Nothing was to be seen on the ground. 

 The more humane tendency of my nature was leading me to 

 experience a sense of relief, when I espied, on a branch of the 

 fir, a yard above my head, a small bunch of pitiful,blue-green 

 feathers, and on it one drop of blood sparkling in the sunshine, 

 like a ruby of choicest water. It was all that remained of the 

 dainty little bird. And I sat me down and wept. 



Whether it was shame at my dastardly deed, or whether my 

 shoulder was too sore to permit of further attempts with the 

 polygroove, who shall say ? Anyway, I beat a retreat, and 

 after carefully replacing the primitive weapon and ammunition 

 in the places from whence they respectively had come, I sought 

 the seclusion of my solitary bedroom, there to reflect seriously 

 on those commandments which forbid murder and also picking 

 and stealing. 



