THE SHOOTING-BOOT'S LAMENT 139 



looked us full in the face ; again my companion edged away. 

 I followed, they still pursued us ; the movements of flight and 

 pursuit became quicker until we began rapidly to revolve in 

 circles. The old creature, unconscious of the terrible danger 

 threatening us, went on with his tiresome story ; it was tempt- 

 ing providence, and at last we ran away to look for some 

 imaginary covey which was supposed to have settled in an 

 adjoining field. The others of the party seemed to enjoy it, 

 but we are not likely ever to forget those awful moments. We 

 have never seen that old man since. 



Master had another pair of shooting-boots, but during the 

 busy seasons we hardly ever met. We were out one day and 

 they were kept at home to recover from their fatigues, and 

 vice versa. But when the shooting was over, we stood along- 

 side each other and had many a talk together, while other 

 boots and shoes, thin wretched looking things, made apparently 

 for show only, and not for hard work, were ranged around and 

 listened. The other shooting-boots were younger than we ; 

 it was their first season, and everything was new to them, so 

 they enjoyed listening to us who had seen so much of the 

 world. 



Now, alas ! all is over ; life and its pleasures have ceased 

 for us ; we have fought a good fight, have carried off many a 

 wound in the service of our master ; our only reward, crippled 

 as now we are, unceasing toil and suffering, until the menial 

 whose feet we at present cover shall cast us off and fling our 

 shattered bodies to some unhallowed spot as even to him of no 

 further use. 



