Simpson's snipe 65 



of memory that was perfectly astounding. Although 

 personally unknown to the countrymen around me, 

 he seemed thoroughly acquainted with their respec- 

 tive pedigrees, their intermarriages, their rent-rolls, 

 and in fact with their most private concerns ; so 

 that before we reached our destination I knew con- 

 siderably more of my neighbours than I, or my 

 father before me, had ever known. 



His shooting experiences were of the most exten- 

 sive and daring character. He had tumbled tigers, 

 stuck pigs, iced white bears, and ostracised ostriches. 

 He had been in the tiger's mouth, on the boar's 

 tusks, and in the arms of the bear. His detailed 

 information on the subject of firearms was worthy 

 of a gunmaker's pet 'prentice. 



" I've shot with Greener's patent central-fire choke- 

 bore, and I pronounce it a handy tool. Westley 

 Richards has made some good instruments, and 

 Purdy's performances are crack. I've taken down 

 one of Eigby's with me, as I have some idea of ex- 

 perimentalising ; Piigby is a very safe maker. I 

 expect to do some damage to-day, friend Smithe." 



What a laughing-stock I should be, when this 

 man unfolded the tale of his being decoyed into the 

 country by a fellow who bragged about his preserves, 

 upon which there wasn't a feather ! Would I make 

 a clean breast of it ? would I say that — 



