312 SHOOTING m CHINA. 



more of his deer ; and, confound him ! I don't believe 

 his shot ever went within yards of it." 



Sport in the south of China is quite different, 

 and very moderate in comparison. Snipe alone are 

 abundant. This bird appears quite indifferent to cli- 

 mate. As early as August I used to get very fair 

 snipe-shooting up the Canton river ; but the rice being 

 then uncut, it was both difficult to find them before 

 and after they were knocked over. I used to get a 

 boat-girl to retrieve for me, and very well she did it. 



I remember one day shooting with a friend about 

 this time of the year,'^ and near Canton, when a Chinaman 

 made his appearance suddenly, and told me I had shot 

 him. He certainly had three No. 6 shot under his 

 skin, from which he bled freely. I felt morally certain 

 I had not done it, and told him so. He politely refused 

 to take this in. 



" However," I said, " depend upon it, that was the 

 gentleman," pointing to my friend, a couple of hundred 

 yards off, " who shot you. Try if you cannot persuade 

 him so." 



" Oh !" said the Chinaman, " I have been to him, 

 and he said it must be you." 



" Very well," I said, " so let it be." 

 ^ August. 



