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CHAPTER VII. 



WILD-SHOOTING IN WINTER. 



Of British field-sports, perhaps "wild-shooting " 

 is the most fascinating. This can only be 

 pursued over wild though fairly well-stocked 

 ground, with the prospect of a miscellaneous 

 though always uncertain bag. It is this latter 

 element that gives such zest to sport. On 

 the last day of December a light fall of snow 

 had thinly carpeted the open woods. Never 

 was morning more beautiful ! The feathered 

 rain was crisp to the tread, and the noon sun 

 converted the atmosphere to that of summer. 

 The water in the bay was blue ; the snow-peaks 

 of the hills rose-tinted ; and snow-crystals shot 

 up over the landscape and made it gloriously, 

 dazzling bright ! 



We were three — old Phil, a broken-bred 



