"
"Ay, ay, Sur," chuckled Timothy, "there's naw Tim Matlock to mak
looncheon ready for ye 'a the day. See thee, measter Frank. Ay'se gotten
't measter's single barrel; and gin I dunna ootshoot measter Draa--whoy
Ay'se deny my coontry!"
"Most certainly you will deny it then, Tim," answered I, "for Mr. Draw
shoots excellently well, and you--"
"And Ay'se shot mony a hare by 't braw moon, doon i' bonny Cawoods.
Ay'se beat, Ay'se oophaud* [*Oophaud, Yorkshire. Anglice, uphold] it!"
So saying, he shouldered the long single barrel, and paddled off with
the most extraordinary expedition after the Teachmans, who had already
started, leading the setters in a leash, till they were out of sight of
Archer.
"They have the longest way to go," said Harry, "by a mile at the least;
so we have time for a cheroot before we three get under way."
Cigars were instantly produced and lighted, and we lounged about the
little court for the best part of half an hour, till the report of a
distant gunshot, ringing with almost innumerable reverberations along
the woodland shores, announced to us that our companions had already got
into their work.
"Here goes," cried Harry, springing to his feet at once, and grasping
his good gun; "here goes--they have got into the long hollow, Tom, and
by the time we've crossed the ridge, and got upon our ground, they'll be
abreast of us.
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