72 Simpson's snipe 



This was very considerate and flattering ; and I 

 heartily hoped that by some fluke or other we 

 might be enabled to make a bag. 



When we arrived upon the shooting-ground, I 

 observed that it was time to load ; and calling up 

 Billy Doyle with the guns, I proceeded to carry my 

 precept into practice. My weapon was an old- 

 fashioned muzzle-loader, one of Truelock & Harris's ; 

 and as I went through the process of loading, I 

 could see that Mr Simpson was regarding my 

 movements with a careful and critical eye. 



" I know that you swells despise this sort of 

 thing," I remarked ; " but I have dropped a good 

 many birds with this gun at pretty long ranges, and 

 have wiped the eyes of many a breech-loading party." 



" I — I like that sort of gun," said Simpson. 

 " I'd be glad if you'd take this," presenting his, 

 with both barrels covering me. 



*' Good heavens, don't do that ! " I cried, shoving 

 the muzzle aside. 



''What — what — " he cried, whirling round like 

 a teetotum — " what have I done ? " 



" N'othing as yet ; but I hate to have the muzzle 

 of a gun turned towards me since the day I saw 

 poor cousin Jack's brains blown out." 



" What am I to do ? " exclaimed Simpson. " I'll 

 do anything." 



