PARTRIDGE-SHOOTING 71 
passed over the guns during the progress of the 
second. I waited for instructions as to the next 
drive. On it I have some sort of recollection of 
a small covey. ‘The next was dead blank. Then 
came lunch-time. I hung back ; my self-appointed 
instructor hung back. I explained that the best 
plans I could think of had been knocked irretrievably 
on the head, and that the day was ruined ; but, 
provided there were no further interference (it was 
politeness alone that caused me to use a term so 
mild), I consented to do what I could to improve 
matters. After lunch we betook ourselves to a part 
of the shoot that had not been ‘ messed up,’ and had 
some passable drives, getting birds broken up just 
as it was time to go home. 
Many a good drive has been spoiled by an 
improper start. A shot or any sort of shooting off 
is not a good signal, even when there is a strictly 
enforced rule against shooting between drives ; for 
you never know when someone unconnected with 
the party may not let fly, and one shot sounds very 
much like another. A proper signalling-horn, with 
two notes, is the best means of communication 
between the manager of the guns and the directors of 
beaters. Here is a word of advice—for the briefest 
moment do not let a horn get into the hands of an 
irresponsible person. I have noticed that those who 
are addicted to hunting possess very liberal and 
erratic ideas of horn-blowing when they are shoot- 
