204 Memoir of Tom Smith. 



For this and for other -wonderful escapes 

 Mr. Smith sincerely trusts that he may never 

 close his eyes at night without retiu-ning his 

 humble thanks to the Almighty, who has so 

 mercifully preserved him, enabling him to 

 exceed the allotted age of man, without hav- 

 ing to say, '^ Few and evil have been the days 

 of my pilgrimage." 



As to gim accidents, which sportsmen so 

 frequently suifer from, Mr. Smith has had 

 several narrow escapes; but he never met 

 with any other damage than the charge of 

 small-shot which he received when a boy. 

 One narrow escape was when shooting with 

 Mr. Campbell Wyndham in Eottom Coppice. 

 He hajDpened to be placed near a noble lord ; 

 and whilst they were chatting in a low tone, 

 his lordship's piece went off, and the charge 

 passed over his companion's shoulder. His 

 lordship, not at all disconcerted, shouted out, 

 '' Mark, cock I" and put his finger to his lips ; 

 thus enjoining secrecy on his companion. 



