272 SPORTING FOR MEN OF MODERATE MEANS 



did. I have gained experience with years. I do 

 not think I should ever have given it up but for 

 one reason. One night I left Quimper in Lower 

 Brittany, and walked down the river (it was a tidal 

 one) to a favourite spot for ducks. I had on my 

 mud boots, and was well wrapped up. I got to the 

 spot I intended, and there I lay waiting, lying down 

 on a bit of board, with my famous black retriever 

 Di beside me. It was bitterly cold, and I took a 

 nip every now and then from my flask. If it had 

 been full, which it was not, there would not have 

 been more than a small wine-glassful in it, for it 

 went into my waistcoat pocket ; but, little as it 

 was, that and the cold made me drowsy, and I fell 

 asleep. I was awakened by an icy feeling under 

 me, and my retriever tearing at my coat. I found 

 the tide was coming up, and I was in six or eight 

 inches of water. My poor dog was in a terrible 

 state. I made my way to land, which was not 

 more than fifty yards from me ; but I was in such 

 agony I could hardly get on, and, to make matters 

 worse, it began to snow heavily. However, I 

 managed to get to the road, and into Quimper ; 

 but I was laid up four months with ague, fever, 

 and rheumatism, and never left my room during 

 that time. Luckily, it was at the fag end of the 

 season. 



