SHOOTING 315 



scot-free, whereas in " driving " an immense number 

 go away wounded ; and if there are any crows in 

 the district, it is most curious to see them on the 

 day after a " drive " hunting the fields regularly 

 and systematically after the cripples. 



There is still another method of partridge-shoot- 

 ing, but this mode is only adopted by wealthy 

 cits, and brand-new peers. The keepers, with 

 a strong force of beaters, are sent out to drive 

 the birds into cover, and, when there, men are 

 left as stops to keep the birds from straying 

 out ; then about twelve the party drive up in 

 wagonettes, well wrapped up, and with plenty of 

 foot-warmers, &c., to the nearest piece of cover, get 

 out, take their guns, and walk right through it, 

 blazing at everything that shows itself ; when they 

 have done one field, they get into their carriages 

 and drive to the next, where the same amusement 

 is carried on ; then comes hot lunch at the nearest 

 keeper's house, which lasts for an hour or more, 

 and the afternoon sport is a repetition of the 

 morning's. There is no stopping to pick up the 

 game, — keepers are left behind for that, and are 

 told to take their guns, so as to stop any cripples, 

 the " writing between the lines " being in this case 

 that they are to kill all they can, so as to make the 

 bag sound better at the end of the day. 



