retain his foot-hold. While I was gazing, he let go, pitched headlong,
fluttered his wings in the death-struggle, yet in air, and struck the
ground close at my feet, stone-dead. Tom's first shot had cut off the
whole crown of the head, with half the brain and the right eye; and
after that the bird had power to fly five or six hundred yards, and then
to cling upon its perch for at least ten minutes.

Rejoining my companions, we again went onward, slaying and bagging as we
went, till when the sun was at meridian we sat down beside the brook to
make our frugal meal--not to-day of grilled woodcock and champagne, but
of hard eggs, salt, biscuit, and Scotch whiskey--not so bad either--nor
were we disinclined to profit by it. We were still smoking on the marge,
when a shot right ahead told us that our out-skirting party was at hand.

All in an instant were on the alert; in twenty minutes we joined forces,
and compared results. We had twelve grouse, five rabbits, seventeen
woodcock; they, six gray squirrels, seven grouse, and one solitary cock
--Tim, proud as Lucifer at having led the field. But his joy now was at
an end--for to his charge the setters were committed to be led in leash,
while we shot on, over the spaniels. Another dozen grouse, and eighteen
rabbits, completed our last bag in the Woodlands.

Late was it when we reached the Teachmans' hut--and long and deep was
the carouse that followed; and when the moon had sunk and we were
turning in, Tom Draw swore with a mighty oath of deepest emphasis--that
since we had passed a week with him, he'd take a seat down in the wagon,
and see the Beacon Races. So we filled round once more, and clinked our
glasses to bind the joyous contract, and turned in happy.

DAY THE SEVENTH

Once more we were compelled to change our purpose.

When we left Tom Draw's it had been, as we thought, finally decided that
we were for this bout to visit that fair village no more, but when that
worthy announced his own determination to accompany us on our homeward
route, and when we had taken into consideration the fact, that,
independent of Tom's two hundred and fifty weight of solid flesh, we had
two noble bucks, beside quail, ruffed grouse, woodcock, and rabbit
almost innumerable to transport, in addition to our two selves and
Timothy, with the four dogs, and lots of luggage--when we, I say,
considered all this, it became apparent that another vehicle must be
provided for our return. So dur