Simpson's snipe 77 



" I'll shoot at nothing but snipe," he replied. 

 " Here you, Billy, come here and load for me." 



" Let's look at the birds, av ye plaze, sir," said 

 Billy, who began to entertain a feeling akin to 

 respect for a man who could bring down his two 

 brace at a shot. " I'll be bound they're fat an' 

 cosy, arter the hoighth av fine feedin' on this slob." 



" They're in my bag. By-and-by," replied Simp- 

 son curtly. " Now, my man, follow your master, 

 and leave me to myself ; " and my guest strode in 

 the opposite direction. 



Bang ! bang ! 



" Be the mortial, he's at thim agin. This is shu- 

 payriour," cried my retainer, hurrying towards the 

 place whence the report proceeded. 



Simpson again held up hvo brace of snipe, and 

 again plunged them into his bag ; nor would he 

 gratify the justifiable longings of our gamekeeper 

 by as much as a peep at them. 



" This is capital sport. Why, this place is swarm- 

 ing with snipe," cried my guest, whilst his gun was 

 being reloaded. '' Depend upon it, it's a mistake to 

 take dogs. The birds smell them. I'll try that bit 

 of bog now." 



" Ye'll have to mind yer futtin'," observed Billy. 

 *' It's crukked an' crass enough in some spots ; I'd 

 betther be wid ye." 



