CHAPTER XIX 



" Scrutator " in his Shooting-jacket. — A quick Method of filling the Bag* 

 — Accidents arising from the imprudent handling of Fire-arms. — The 

 Poaching Fraternity. — A Sporting Poet. — The Habits of the Part- 

 ridge. — Pointers crossed with the Fox-hounds. — Old Ponto. — What 

 Pointers can do when well trained. — The distinguishing Attribute of 

 Pointers common to the whole Canine race. 



Now the rude clamour of the sportsman's joy, 

 The gun fast thundering, and the winded horn. 

 Break the long silence of the peaceful glades. 



With the month of September actual business begins, 

 and whilst with his staunch brace of pointers the shooter 

 is ranging the stubbles and turnip fields, the huntsman, 

 with a few steady supporters, and thorough-going fox- 

 hunters, is knocking about the cubs in the neighbouring 

 woodlands, and watching with anxious eye the progress 

 of his young darhngs, whom he is training up in the way 

 they should go. Many an ardent fox-hunter, however, 

 does not disdain the shooting jacket during the month 

 of September, and whilst his horses are in training for 

 the ensuing month, prepares himself also, by strong 

 walking exercise, to be fit for the coming fray. 



To the young and ardent sportsman there is a great 

 amount of excitement inseparably connected with the 

 first day of partridge-shooting, although not of so long 

 duration as fox-hunting. I can well remember with 

 what anxiety and pleasurable anticipations this event 

 was looked forward to by myself when a boy. The 

 month before this long-wished-for day was industriously 



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