The morning call., 1894-02-04
SHOOTING FATALITY.



something which sounded like worth try
ing. by Jovew Then he fell quite fast
asleep. and did not rouse again until one
of the footmen brought In his hot water at
O'Clock.
During the process of dressing, and
afterward al breakfast. he was preoccu-
pied and thoughtful. and every now and
then smile would break over his face, as
though he were amused by some inward
reflection. By and by. when the meal
was over, he made his escape into the
back part of the house, TO renew his ac-
QuaIn tance with the old housekeeper, with
whom he was great favorite; and from
her room he stroiled out into the stable
yard and there hobbed and nobbed awhile
with the head coachman, also an old friend
of his.
''Shall you turn out with the beaters to-
morrow, Jenkins?" he asked him.
THAT L shall. Master Reggie. You've
never known me miss the first big shoot of
the coverts. have you? And IFS a hextra
me year for pheasantS-this is Masters
calculating on making the biggest bag
that's ever been made on the Rashleign
estate"
well. there are some good shots among
the party. Pm told that Sir Algernon is a
regular crack"
$50 he is; never see better. For the
credit of the estate Barrels is goin' TO put
him in the best places all through the day !;
though it goes ag'in the grain with Bar
rells, it do, indeed"
why's that?" asked Reginald.
Why's that?' repeated the c0achman.
Cos Sir HawlgenUn treats all US SER
wants no better than bigger slaves, and is
Just about as stlngy as they make 'em.
That's why. just you harsk Sir Hawtge-
mons man what he thinks of him-that's
ALL"
mo man WAS ever hero to his own
valet" laughed Reggie. But say, hope
| shall shoot decently tomorrow uncle
gets so awfully riled If you let Off many
birds, doesn't hep
Don't know nothing that irritates him
much more. l remember two years ago
there was paTson out with US as missed
four birds out of i've at least; and Bar
rells-he takes things pretty easily. you
knOw-he says to master, by way of a
joke, like, Never mind, master. there'll be
all the more birds left iOr next time My
eye! didn't the squire pitch into him just.
His language was worth hearing. And he
said as Eow If Barrels hadn't been head
keeper on the estate for twenty-five years
he'd have give him a weeks wages and
Shunted him on the spot. After that. says
BARRELS TO me. contidentiaIly, No more
jokes on that subject for me. thank 'ee-
no, no, Jenkins"
Reggie laughed and handed the coach
man Il cigar, which, when the latter bad
lighted, made him still more conversa-
tlonal. and they remained talking together
for more than half an hour.
Directly after luncheon the young man
disappeared, and did not turn up again az
Rashleigh until just in time for dinner at
8 o'clock. He looked flushed and excited,
and in reply to laughing INQUIRY from
his aunt as to where he had hidden him
self ali the afternoon be stated that he had
been for country ramble and had missed
his way. The air and the exercise had evil
IDENTIFY fresheued him up. for he was very
talkative and in excellent spirits. More
over. he took care 10 please both his aunt
and uncle by being particularly civil to Sir
AlgerhOn.
The next day dawned as perfect a day
for covert shooting as late October could
afford; fine, dull, mild. With gentlest of
winds and tee gayest of skies.
''Nn excuse for not shooting well to-
day." said old Rasbleigh, rubbing his
hands delIghtedly. "Reggie. my boy, that
sun which was always In your eyes last
year won't trouble you Today. nor viii
that wind which would cartY your shot
wide"
Pm rather sorry for it, laughed Reg
gle. But / expect Barrels will send me
into covert with the beaters. so what / do
miss will be mostly rabbits"
By half-past 10 the eight gars were
ready to start. and by II they were duly
within short walk of the house. Reg
inald. as he had anticipated, was In covert
with the beaters, while Sir AlgernoB, as
jenkins had prOphesled, was put right
forward where the largest number of birds
would break. Nothing particular hap
pened in the shooting of this first covert.
except that Reginald heard his uncle call
out to Mr. Barrels. in voice of some an
noyance: who the dickens have you
posted forward at Beechen Corner, Bar
rells ?'
''Slr Hawlgenon HawnelI, sir"
''Sir AlgernUn ArnaIl, en-? Then what
the devirs come over him. l wonder?
More than three dozen birds have got
away at that one corner"
$50 see. sir. And / can't make it out.
Sir aawlge on's generally dead on.'
When they had finished the covert and
the spOrtsmen gathered 10 see the birds
laid out at the top end Sir Algprnon was
noticed to look as sulky and black as thun-
der. while the face of Squire Rashleigh
wore far from good-humored expression
'Hemi' he growled "Forly less than
we reck0ned on for that one covert, eh,
BarreIs?'
''Yes. sir. / calculated on a hundred,
and there's only sixty-one. And them
nearly all hens"
'If we dom: do better than this" said
the Squire. in an audible soliloQuy. "our
bag viii be disgrace. Well, hang 1t, Bar
rells, let's get on to Lime Tree Bottom
sharp!'
Lime Tree Bottom was the largest and
best stocked covert on the estate, and on
the sportsmen's success here the days
bag very largely depended. Sir Algernon,
who had his valet with him to load for
him. again went forward, and the Squire
himself was posted next to share with him
that angle of the covert, while Reggie, who
looked trife nervous, was again in with
the Deaters.
AS they drew near the top end OF the
covert the birds broke forward thick and
fast. and bang bang = baDg-went the
guns as fast as they could be loaded. But
again at Sir Algernon's corner dozens and
dozens of birds escaped. and Mr.. BARRELS
language became really dreadful.
Master will be mad! stark, raving
mad" he said to jenkins, who was next
him.
shouldn't wonder" said Jenkins.
Nigh on a hundred have got away right
over Sir Hawlgenon's head. Can't make
is out Must be horff his chump this
morning. l must harsk Tnmmas 'ow
many B and SIS he drank last night"
At the top end of the covert there was a
space clear of trees and underwood, but
grown ali over with thick bracken. And
1t was here that Sir Algernon stood. AS
IN h0o tnrA "a fl