Simpson's snipe 69 



cially as the pockets bulged very considerably, as 

 though they were loaded with woollen wraps ; but 

 I was silent in the presence of one who had sought 

 his quarry in the jungle, and shoved my old-fashioned 

 idea back into the fusty lumber-room of my thoughts. 

 Billy Doyle awaited us with the dogs at the stable 

 gate. These faithful animals no sooner perceived 

 me than they set up an unlimited howling of delight ; 

 but instead of bounding forward to meet me, as was 

 their wont, they suddenly stopped, as if struck 

 by an invisible hand, and commenced to set at 

 Simpson. 



This extraordinary conduct of these dogs — there 

 are no better dogs in Ireland — incensed Billy to 

 fever heat. 



" Arrah, what the puck are yez settin' at ? Are 

 yez mad or dhrunk ? Whoop 1 gelang ow a that, 

 Feltram ! Hush ! away wud ye, BirdHme 1 " 



" Take them away ; take them away ! " cried 

 Simpson, very excitedly. " I don't want them ; I 

 never shoot with dogs. Eemove them, my man." 



Billy caught Feltram, but Birdlime eluded his 

 grasp ; and having released Feltram and captured 

 Birdlime, the former remained at a dead set, whilst 

 the latter struggled with his captor, as though the 

 lives of both depended on the issue. 



" May the divvle admire me," panted Billy, " but 



I F 



