The last circle brought him to within seventy yards, and he did not dare to ride any nearer, so jumping off his pony he ran in towards the bird as hard as he could go.

When he had covered ten paces the _pauw_ was rising, but they are heavy birds, and he was within forty yards before it was fairly on the wing.

Then he pulled up and fired both barrels of No.

4 into it.
Down it came, and, incautious man, he rushed forward in triumph without reloading his gun.

Already was his hand outstretched to seize the prize, when, behold! the great wings spread themselves out and the bird was flying away.