AS IT WAS AND AS IT IS 47 



room again, I don my shot-belt, I pocket wads, 

 powder, and caps, shoulder my gun, and in two 

 minutes am seated in the elegant little double dog- 

 cart, waiting in a broiling sun for these tardy 

 sportsmen. I have sat for full a quarter of an 

 hour, when Jack strolls out, and, in a voice as 

 though nothing had or was about to happen, 

 exclaims — 



" Hallo, Sam ! are you ready ? I must go and 

 dress." And this to a man who has been gaitered 

 since half-past eight. At half-past twelve he re- 

 appeared, dressed in magnificent apparel, the result 

 of Poole's and Anderson's united efforts, and examin- 

 ing, to the increase of my impatience, the elaborate 

 locks of a bran new breech-loader. Formerly, we 

 used to take care of that sort of thing the night be- 

 fore at the latest. However, our horses are good 

 ones, and Dick, who knows very well how to handle 

 them — about the only thing I can say for him — 

 puts them along in very neat form at a brisk pace 

 to Brinkhill. This is all very pleasant ; and as we 

 near the ground my spirits begin to rise again. It 

 takes us, however, at least twenty minutes to dis- 

 cuss which is the most advantageous beat — a matter 

 which used to be settled as we came along ; but I 

 am at last on the move, and begin to forget the past 

 grievances, only hoping they won't strike work too 



