Punch (77.1879)

September 6, 1879.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

97

SHOOTING ON THE FIRST.

[A Suggestion for a Chapter in the next Sporting Novel.)

3 i^-— )

F course whatever may have heen
the weather in other parts of
the country, we were not
disappointed in Rainington,
Stormshire. It would have
been too hard, had all the pre-
parations of my dear old host,
the Squire, proved unnecessary.
But no, a glance through the
window in the early morn showed that all was right. It was pelting as it had pelted for
weeks past. We were in for a regular wet day. Had it cleared up at the last moment it
would not have mattered, as for miles round I could see nothing but a level sheet of water.

Thoroughly pleased, I put on my waterproofs, with a jaunty air. I took the greater care
with my toilette, as I knew that Lottie was waiting to greet me in the breakfast-room.

" How well you look," exclaimed the dear girl, as I hurried into her presence. Why, you
only want a helmet to be the very image of the diver at the Polytechnic ! "

Without any loss of modesty, I may admit, that the compliment was not undeserved.
We had scarcely time to exchange any further greeting, when Harold and his father appeared
at the breakfast table. They, too, were fully prepared to brave, if not the battle, at least
the storm.

After a hearty meal, we got into the boat that had been pushed up beneath the window.
The head keeper was in attendance, with half-a-dozen umbrellas; and a Newfoundland had
been added to our dogs.

" He's so fond of the water ! " exclaimed the Squire, " and will be of the greatest assist-
ance to the retriever."

_ After kissing my hand to Lottie, who watched us as we disappeared through the
drizzling rain, I seized an oar, and pulled bow to Harold's stroke. The boat made rapid
progress.

"Take care, my lads," sang out the cheery old Squire, who was steering. "We have
passed the carriage road, and should be somewhere in the avenue by this time. Can you feel
any branches ? "

We replied in the negative, but had scarcely time to answer, before bump went the
boat against some masonry.

"What's that ? " asked the Squire, turning to the keeper.

" Well, Sir, I don't rightly know, but if you give me your glasses, I think I may find out.
You see all this here water be very confusing. It can't be the church spire, because I know

the weathercock^ ain't yet covered, and- Why, to be sure! What a fool I am! It's

the top of the chimney of the West Lodge !"

And so it proved to be. To make a long story a short one, we had about as good sport as

our neighbours. We once thought we saw
a rabbit floating on a hurdle, but did not
get near enough to verify our supposition.

" And now, lads, for lunch," cried the
Squire. " Lottie will be waiting for us on
the barge moored to the top of the haystack.
I have got a little surprise for you, that I
think will please you. We won't let the
rain beat us. For years past we have
lunched under the haystack, and we will
lunch there to-day."

The dear old Squire ! So profuse in his
hospitality, so luxurious in his arrange-
ments ! I don't believe it would have
occurred to any other man. But, certainly,
it was very pleasant. As we got to the
barge, we saw the men at the air-pumps,
and everything in readiness.

" Now, off we go! " was the cry, and the
Squire, Harold, Lottie, myself, and the
lunch, in a twinkling, were fifteen feet
under the water!

We could not speak much in the diving-
bell ; but, you may be sure, Lottie and I
exchanged a thousand glances. In the
afternoon, however, we had some excite-
ment. Lottie had gone home, and we had
visited every likely spot in search of the
birds, but, evidently, the weather was too
bad for even partridges to be out in.

" Come, my lads," said the Squire, turn-
ing to the beaters, who had followed us in
a punt. "We ought to be near the river.
Who's for a swim ? You may kick up
something."

In a moment, half a dozen boys and men
were diving in the water. Suddenly the tail
of the pointer stiffened.

" Mark! " cried the keeper.

A gleam—a loud report—and a splash.

" 1 think I hit something," I said, as I
removed the empty cartridge from the
barrel of my still smoking breechloader.

The retrievers and the Newfoundland
dashed into the water, and came back to
the boat burdened with the spoil.
_ A few hours later, I was standing in the
library talking to Lottie.

" I am afraid you have had bad sport,"
said the fair girl. "I suppose you have
added nothing to the larder. And yet you
might have got something for me, Sir."

This was said with a charming pout. I
hurried from the room, and returned
triumphantly with the contents of my game
bag.

"Nothing for you, darling!" I cried.
" Why, you know I would give my life for
you! But see, I have not forgotten you.
Pray accept this trifle as a memento of my
never-dying devotion." And I laid at the
feet of my loved one—a salmon !

A Bull for Spain.

It is rumoured that on the occasion of
King Alpbtonso's second marriage, Don
Carlos will accept the title of "Infant,"
with a large pension, and finally relinquish
all claim to the throne of Spain. If this
satisfactory conclusion to Civil War beyond
the Pyrenees is reached, the Ex-Pretender,
having laid down his sword, will still have
to pay for his railway ticket. Clothed with
his new dignity, it will yet be inaccurate to
describe his Royal Highness as an "Infant

-m arms."

a mystert explained.

Mr. Punch [after reading a recent Ga-
zette). Can you tell me, my good British
Public, the meaning of the letters Gr.C.B. ?

British Public [promptly). To be sure—
Great Cape Blunderer!

vol. lxxvli.