A Sportsman at Large 163 



which wound up the meeting ! I am unable to account for 

 my wretched display, unless it was because my thoughts 

 were so concentrated on trout, that pigeons and their slaughter 

 became quite a secondary consideration. None can hope for 

 success in any sport or pastime unless his whole attention is 

 set on accomplishment. 



This, too, was about the last time I faced the traps intent 

 on a pastime which at one time had held a strange fascination 

 for me. It was an ignoble finish to a career in that particular 

 line which, on occasion, had been illuminated by many 

 important triumphs. 



But here let me point out to you that I have dealt only 

 with those contests in which I distinguished myself, or 

 was within an ace of so doing. I have made no mention of 

 the hundreds of competitions wherein I cut an altogether 

 inconspicuous figure. 



You might imagine, from what I have set down, that I 

 was a sort of super-shot in a class by myself. 



Such was assuredly not the case, as proved by the fact 

 that my most severe handicap during the years I was com- 

 peting was twenty-eight yards in England, and twenty-seven 

 metres abroad ! 



Had I shot sufficiently well to justify the handicappers in 

 placing me at thirty-two yards and twenty-nine metres respec- 

 tively I trow I should have cut a sorry figure indeed at those 

 distances. 



The fact is, I was essentially " a middle-distance man " only, 

 and at that I think I may fairly claim to have made good ; 

 but I certainly could not be classed with the real flyers at the 

 game either native or foreign. 



People may say what they like about pigeon-shooting and 

 its alleged cruelty and degrading associations, but I could 

 supply a list containing the names of some of the most kindly, 

 courteous and humane men of the world gentlemen and 

 sportsmen in the best sense of the word, born and bred, who 

 were, during my time, enthusiastic supporters of the game. 

 Perhaps the gambling that went on among a certain section 

 was to be deprecated, but the spirit of speculation is inherent, 

 and one could not help regarding with wonderment and awe 



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