THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 131 
in making preparations for the first outing—the little 
hammerless is taken from its case wherein so long 
it rested in silence; a peep through the tubes assures 
the proud owner that the lustre within has been 
well preserved, and after a gentle “rubbing up” 
the beauty, while being thus handled, recalls to 
mind many pleasant incidents during past seasons. 
The shell case with its surplus from last season is 
carefully inspected and sorted over and a memoran¬ 
dum made of the missing sorts to be supplied; 
shooting togs are overhauled and placed in order—• 
in fact everything is gotten in readiness preparatory 
for a first onslaught. But, perhaps, one thing, a 
matter of greatest importance, is overlooked — con¬ 
ditioning of Sport, the grand old dog who, from 
lack of work and insufficient daily exercise, has 
grown fat and soft and because of this source is 
not a servant suitable to be taken afield, being 
unable to do satisfactory work until becoming 
sufficiently hardened later on in the season. If 
taken afield in this condition the dog will naturally 
bound with joy, show great activity, scale fences 
and ditches with grace, hunt and work out birds 
with a dash that thrills the heart of the sportsman ; 
but in his eagerness and joy at once more being 
permitted to indulge in the pursuit of game after so 
long an intermission, usually, in the excitement of 
the moment, rushes in to flush and, not unfrequent- 
ly, gives chase to his hearts delight, unmindful and 
to the great dissatisfaction of his handler. Upon 
