"
And, as he spoke, he moved a yard or two in front of us, and under his
very feet, positively startling me by their noisy flutter, up sprang the
gallant bevy: fifteen or sixteen well grown birds, crowding and jostling
one against the other. Tom Draw's gun, as I well believe, was at his
shoulder when they rose; at least his first shot was discharged before
they had flown half a rood, and of course harmlessly: the charge must
have been driven through them like a single ball; his second barrel
instantly succeeded, and down came two birds, caught in the act of
crossing. I am myself a quick shot, too quick if anything, yet my first
barrel was exploded a moment after Tom Draw's second; the other
followed, and I had the satisfaction of bringing both my birds down
handsomely; then up went Harry's piece--the bevy being now twenty or
twenty-five yards distant--cocking it as it rose, he pulled the trigger
almost before it touched his shoulder, so rapid was the movement; and,
though he lowered the stock a little to cock the second barrel, a moment
scarcely passed between the two reports, and almost on the instant two
quail were fluttering out their lives among the bog grass.
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