[Illustration: SPORT!--_Cockney Sportsman_ (_eager, but disappointed_). "I say, my boy, seen any birds this way?" _'Cute Rustic_ (_likewise anxious to make a bag_). "Oh, a rare lot, guv'nor--a rare lot--just flew over this 'ere 'edge, and settled in that 'ere field, close to Squire Blank's ricks." [_Cockney sportsman tips boy a shilling, and goes hopefully after ... a flock of starlings!_ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _His Lordship_ (_after missing his tenth rabbit_). "I'll tell you what it is, Bagster. Your rabbits are _all two inches too short_, hereabouts!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PLEASANT FOR HARRY _Fair Sportswoman._ "Oh, Harry, I feel so excited, I scarcely know what I am doing!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BLANK FIRING _Ancient Sportsman_ (_whose sight is not what it used to be_). "Pick 'em up, James, pick 'em up! Why don't you pick 'em up?" _Veteran Keeper._ "'Cause there bean't any down, my lord!"] * * * * * SPORT IN SPORT (_Game played by Dumb-Crambo, Junior_) [Illustration: Cartridges] * * * [Illustration: Stubble and turn-up] * * * [Illustration: Marking down] * * * [Illustration: A breech loader] * * * [Illustration: Hairs and part-ridges were scarce] * * * [Illustration: Full cock] * * * * * [Illustration: _Boy_ (_after watching old sportsman miss a couple of rocketers_). "Have you shot often, uncle?" _Uncle._ "Yes, my boy, a great deal. At one time, in Africa, I used to live by my gun." _Boy_ (_thoughtfully_). "Did you? And is that why you're so thin?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Fitz._ "I say, are _all_ your beaters out of the wood?" _Keeper._ "Yes, sir." _Fitz._ "Are you sure?" _Keeper._ "Yes, sir." _Fitz._ "Have you _counted_ them?" _Keeper._ "No, sir; but I know they're a'right." _Fitz._ "Then I've shot a roe deer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "LE SPORT."--_Keeper._ "Why didn't you fire the other barrel, m'seer--the other barrel at the last bird?" _Monsieur Alphonse._ "Bah! I did fire ze odher barrel! I do fire bodt barrels togezzer! And in my own country I do shoot ze lark at twenty, twenty-five, and sometimes dirty yards--when he stand quite still! Your dogs zey make ze birds to flyaway"--(_insinuatingly_)--"and zey must be fatigued. Here is money. Take zem, and buy zem somezings to eat! Leave me to make my own dogs myself!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BEHIND THE SCENES.--_Beater._ "'Ere you are, Mr. Bags, 'ere's another one, but 'e bain't too fresh. I don't think 'e were killed to-day." _Keeper_ (_sotto voce_). "'Old your row, stupid! Of course he wasn't. We always puts a few down where the gov'nor's goin' to stand!"] * * * * *