Simpson's snipe 71 



■loirra ! What does he take us for ? Whales, 

 begorra ! " 



The riddance of the dogs was a grand coup for 

 me. In the event of having no sport the faihire 

 could be easily accounted for, and I should come 

 off with flying colours. 



" I make it a point," observed Simpson, " to shoot 

 as little with dogs as possible. I like to set my 

 own game, shoot it, and bag it ; nor do I care to 

 be followed by troublesome and often impertinent 

 self-opinionated game-keepers " (Billy was at this 

 moment engaged in incarcerating Feltram and Bird- 

 lime). " These fellows are always spoilt, and never 

 know their position." 



I was nettled at this. 



" If you refer to " 



" My dear Smithe, I allude to my friend Lord 

 Mulligatawny's fellows, got up in Lincoln green 

 and impossible gaiters, who insist upon loading for 

 you, and all that sort of thing. You know Mulli- 

 gatawny, of course ? " 



I rather apologised for not having the honour. * 



" Then you shall, Smithe. I'll bring you together 

 when you come to town. Leave that to me ; a nice 

 little party: Mulligatawny, Sir Percy Whiffler, Colonel 

 Owlfinch of the 1st Life Guards — they're at Beggar's 

 Bush now, I suppose — Belgum, yourself, and myself." 



