154 A Sportsman at Large 



" Who is handing you your cartridges, Cockie ? " he inquired. 



I told him. 



" Ask no questions," he continued. " Take these " (handing 

 me twenty-five " shells ") " and put them in your pocket. 

 I have backed you to win me a good stake." 



" My dear chap, whatever for ? My chance is a remote one, 

 and, pray, what is the magic effect of these cartridges you 

 have given me ? " 



" I told you not to ask questions." And Gambier turned 

 on his heel, leaving me guessing. 



I examined the wonderful " shells." They were exactly 

 like those which I had handed to the attendant to serve out 

 to me, two at a time, as I went to my mark. 



E.G. powder ; 7 and 5/6 shot. 



Now I knew Gambier well, and had the greatest faith 

 in his acumen ; so I made no further ado, but, acting on his 

 instructions, took the cartridges handed me by the attendant, 

 slipped them into my trousers pocket, and substituted for 

 them two of those provided by my friend. 



The birds, which proved of the finest quality, had been 

 coming out at express speed, and, being caught by the wind, 

 were swept at an amazing rate of speed right across the ground. 

 I was a trifle behind my initial pigeon (a snorter from the left 

 corner trap) with my first barrel, but, swinging well forward, 

 dropped it dead, almost on top of the trap on the extreme right. 



Well, once more to cut a long story short, I kept up my 

 form, and though I had to use my second rather frequently, 

 I never looked like letting a bird go. 



The conditions were " one bird." That is to say, each 

 shooter, as he missed, was automatically knocked out ; so 

 the contest resolved itself into a demonstration of " the 

 survival of the fittest." 



The extraordinary flight of the birds was playing havoc 

 with " the talent." The fielders were having the time of 

 their lives and picking up a small fortune ; but there was 

 another shooter who seemed to be well favoured by the 

 peculiar conditions. 



This was Captain Shelley, an old and tried hand at the game ; 

 for he kept grassing his birds in fine style. 



