THE ETHICS OF FIELD SPORTS. 579 



successful shot, and that his own aim was untrue. It is 

 such trivial acts of self-denial and generosity that endears 

 to the hearts of inexperienced shots their more skillful and 

 experienced brothers. 



When a sportsman shows the courtesies in the field, 

 which he should do unsolicited, and with pride and pleas- 

 ure, he is entitled to no reward for merit, but simply car- 

 ries out the lessons of unselfishness which his association 

 with Nature and with gentlemen has taught him. 



When you invite a friend to be your guest on a hunting 

 or fishing trip, you honor yourself with his presence. Your 

 path is plainly before you, and leads in only one direction. 

 It is plainly your duty to make the day one of the happiest 

 possible for him. How best to do this, the circumstances 

 of the case and your own gentlemanly instincts should 

 teach you. You should .insist on his accepting the first 

 shot; and if he should be so unfortunate as to miss, don't 

 add to his chagrin by trying to bag the bird before he has 

 fired his second barrel, but let him shoot again. Better let 

 the bird go free than violate the courtesies of the craft. 



As you enter the field with him, tell him he is to shoot 

 first; then, placing him at your left — because most men can 

 shoot better at left-quartering birds — tell him you will take 

 turns with him on straight-away birds, but he is to fire at 

 those going to the left, while you will take those going to 

 the right. Should it happen that most of the birds fly to 

 the right, exchange places, or insist that he take every alter- 

 nate shot going to the right. Human life is like a piece of 

 machinery— they both need the best of oil to make them 

 work smoothly and successfully; and there is nothing 

 which attains its end with a man so effectually as gentle, 

 unobtrusive, thoughtful preferences which are delicately 

 thrust upon him. They may be small, but they show that 

 a man's heart is right; and by showing your guest such 

 attentions and courtesies, even for a day, you make him 

 your friend for life. 



The old saying, that "Two is company, and three is a 

 crowd," is true here; for, in upland snooting, but two 



