VERBUM SAP. 243 
knowing that no one ever grudges the voluntary con- 
tribution. As a matter of fact, the drivers at this 
place are the best I have ever seen. Cheerfully, 
quickly, and willingly will they slip round an extra 
two or three miles after a hot exhausting day to fetch 
in a big lot of birds which have broken out that they 
may give you one more good drive. 
Nothing is a surer indication of the temper of the 
beaters than the time they consume in getting round 
and into their places for a fresh drive, whilst you im- 
patiently pace up and down, munching grasses and 
fingering the lock of your gun ; and time is of great 
value and importance out shooting when there is a 
good bag to be made. Good beaters, whose move- 
ments are rapid and willing, contribute very largely to 
the success of the operations and the magnitude of 
the bag. They must be considered in a humane and 
friendly manner, due arrangements made for their rest 
and lunch, and some forethought exercised to prevent 
their being exposed for an unnecessarily long time to 
rain, snow, or cold when there is no object to be 
gained by it. One should remember that the contrast 
between their simple and frugal mode of life and 
the luxurious habits of modern country-house exist- 
ence is never more closely brought home to them 
than on the occasion of a shooting party ; and one 
R2 
