134 How I Became a Sportsmax. 



of his, which he had before somewhat neglected 

 in favour of the home district, and I dare say 

 got on very well ; at all events, when I met 

 him he generally had his gun (my gun some- 

 times) in his pockets, together with some odds 

 and ends, the produce of it. 



It was a great day for Ben when the gun 

 Licence Act was passed, as he had nothing to 

 do but pay his ten shillings and walk about 

 with his gun over his shoulder, " like any other 

 gentleman," as he said, whereas before he had 

 to carry it in two pieces in his pockets. 



I was sitting one day with my friend and 

 Ben in a dry ditch, and with our backs to the 

 bank, after having a capital morning's sport 

 late in September, and just lighting our cigars, 

 when Ben hunted in his pockets and produced 

 something out of a rather unpromising-looking 

 bit of newspaper, and handed it to me. 



" Read that, sir," said Ben. 



" Well," said I, after looking at it, " this is a 

 gun licence all right." 



Ben looked as if he thought it was some- 

 thing more. 



" It's a ten-shilling ' certificate,' " said Ben ; 

 " that's what I asked for, and they gave me that." 



