Mr. Green, almost in a panic of excitement and
trepidation, pulled both triggers, and nearly fell back with the recoil.

[Illustration: 292]

'"Splendid shot, begad!--killed both," said Oakley. "Ah, Mr. Green, we
have no chance with you. Give him another gun at once."

'"I should like a little brandy," said Mr. Green, "for my feet are wet."

'I gave him my flask, which he emptied at a pull; while, at the same
time, animated with fresh vigour, he tramped manfully forward, without
fear or dread. The firing still continued hotly around us; and as Mr.
Green discharged his piece whenever he was bid, we calculated that in
about an hour and a half he had fired above a hundred and fifty times.
Wearied and fatigued by his exertions, at length he sat down upon a
bank, while one of the gamekeepers covered the ground about him with
ducks, hens, and turkey-cooks, as the spoils of his exertions.

'At Oakley's proposal we now agreed to go back to luncheon, which I need
not tell you was a hot supper, followed by mulled claret and more punch.
Here the cockney came out still better than before. His character as a
sportsman raised him in his own esteem, and he sang "The Poacher" for
two hours, until he fell fast asleep on the carpet. He was then
conveyed to bed, where, as on the former day, he slept till late in the
afternoon.

'Meanwhile, I had arranged another breakfast-party at Ross, where we
arrived about seven o'clock in the evening--and so on for the rest of
the week, occasionally varying the amusement by hunting, fishing, or
coursing.

'At last poor Mr. Green, when called on one morning to dress, sent down
Dan with his compliments that he wished to speak to me. I went to him at
once, and found him sitting up in his bed.

'"Ah, Mr. Manon," said he, "this will never do; it's a pleasant life, no
doubt, but I never could go On with it. Will you tell me one thing--do
you never see the sun here?"

'"Oh, bless you! yes," said I; "repeatedly. He was out for two hours on
last Patrick's Day, and we have him now and then, promiscuously!"

'"How very strange, how very remarkable," said he, with a sigh, "that
we in England should know so little of all this! But, to tell you the
truth, I don't think I ever could get used to Lapland--it's Ireland I
mean; I beg your pardon for the mistake. And now, may I ask you another
question--Is this the way you always live?"

'"Why, pretty much in this fashion; during the hazy season we go about