SHOOTING 307 



after giving directions about watching particular 

 lines, and begging that gentlemen will not put up 

 their heads too soon, but keep down and " give the 

 birds a chance," as he calls it, on the lucus a non 

 lucendo principle, I suppose, mounts his old horse 

 and trots off after the drivers, receiving, first of all, 

 you may be sure, some chaff from the youngsters 

 about his horse and his seat, to which he good- 

 humouredly rejoins that " he hopes they will shoot 

 better than he can ride." 



The party now disperse to their several stands, 

 each one accompanied by his loader, and, as you 

 stroll down with your old loader, lie greatly amuses 

 you by his observations on the party and shrewd 

 forecast of their respective powders. In a short 

 time the distant sound of a horn is lieard, which 

 makes your old man break off his stories and reflec- 

 tions altogether, as he knows it is the signal for the 

 line of drivers to start ; you yourself peer eagerly 

 through the screen, though really knowing that 

 there is no chance of a shot for a long time yet. 

 Presently a series of unearthly yells are heard, as 

 some obstinate covey rises and breaks back over the 

 drivers' heads. And here let me remark that the 

 arrangement of a successful drive requires a great 

 deal of forethought and knowledge ; the wind and 

 sun must be studied, and also the habits of the 



