"Now, then," said Harry, "look out, till I kick him up."
No sooner said than done--the toe of his thick shooting-boot crushed the
slight evergreen, and out whirred, with his white chaps and speckled
breast conspicuous, an old cock quail. He rose to Forester, but ere that
worthy had even cocked his gun--for he had now adopted Archer's plan,
and carried his piece always at half cock, till needed--flew to the
right across the Commodore; so Frank released his hammer and brought
down his Manton, while A--- deliberately covered, and handsomely cut
down the bird at five-and-twenty yards.
Grouse made a movement to run in, but came back instantly when called.
"Just look back, if you please, one moment, before loading," said Harry,
"for that down-charge is well worth looking at."
And so indeed it was--for there, upon the wall-top, where he had been
balancing, Chase had contrived to lie down at the gunshot--wagging his
stern slightly to and fro, with his white forepaws hanging down, and his
head couched between them, his haunches propped up on the coping stone,
and his whole attitude apparently untenable for half a minute.
"Now, load away for pity's sake, as quickly as you can; that posture
must be any thing but pleasant.
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