WALKING UP 173 
I was lucky enough to take part in it on several 
occasions. Lord Leicester’s name has been famous 
these many years for his consummate skill in the 
management and organisation of shooting, and cer- 
tainly when he directed the half-moon it was a most 
beautifully executed manceuvre, very effective and 
very simple withal. 
I need hardly say that complete discipline must 
be maintained by both shooters and beaters, as it 
invariably was at Holkham. 
On entering the field, the line of six guns is formed 
at the base, the spaces between the men being very 
evenly kept. Ona signal from the host, or person 
directing the operations, who must always be at or 
near the centre, the two outside men, who must be 
shooters, begin to advance straight up the field. 
When they have proceeded say ten yards, another 
wave of the hand directs the next two to begin 
moving, and so on until the whole are in motion, 
none venturing to advance without signal from the 
commander-in-chief; the centre keeping well back 
until the last, and often until the outside men have 
advanced more than half-way up the field. By this 
time a great many shots will generally have been 
fired, especially by the flank men, at birds breaking 
out at the sides. But presently the birds lying in the 
