Van Koop, however, did not interpret the order in the same spirit, for he loosed at several, killing one or two and missing others.
"That fellow is no sportsman," I heard Lord Ragnall remark.

"I suppose it is the bet." Then he sent Charles to ask him to desist.
Shortly after this the gale worked round to the north and settled there, blowing with ever-increasing violence.

The pheasants, however, still flew forward in the shelter of the trees, for they were making for the covert on the hill, where they had been bred.

But when they got into the open and felt the full force of the wind, quite four out of six of them turned and came back at a most fearful pace, many so high as to be almost out of shot.
For the next three-quarters of an hour or more--as I think I have explained, the beat was a very long one--I had such covert shooting as I suppose I shall never see again.

High above those shrieking trees, or over the lake to my left, flashed the wind-driven pheasants in an endless procession.