BALNAGOWN AND BIRDS. 95 



With as much airy nonchalance as I could muster at the moment, I 

 looked over at Campbell, as I carelessly slipped two more shells in the 

 magazine. 



Then there were three more single birds coming, all hard crossing 

 ones, all going like the wind and all to fall dead at the shot. 



That is what makes shooting an enthralling sport for me. Un- 

 certainty. If I could always hit I would always sit at home, and never 

 go shooting. Because I can miss, because I do miss with such ridiculous 

 ease, is what makes hitting seem worth while. 



We swung around by mid-afternoon to near where the Chief was 

 overlooking some work his men were doing in sodding the parapet of 

 the dam. The bag was satisfactory. I have forgotten just how many 

 birds, but enough, and the exercise had been sufficient to make a warm 

 bath and clean clothes not unwelcome. 



