They were forced to stand there, poor fellows, and watch our performance from afar.
As the thing drew towards an end the birds came thicker and thicker, and I shot, as I have said, better and better.

This may be judged from the fact that, notwithstanding their height and tremendous pace, I killed my last thirty pheasants with thirty-five cartridges.

The final bird of all, a splendid cock, appeared by himself out of nothingness when we thought that all was done.

I think it must have been flushed from the covert on the hill, or been turned back just as it reached it by the resistless strength of the storm.

Over it came, so high above us that it looked quite small in the dark snow-scud.
"Too far--no use!" said Lord Ragnall, as I lifted the gun.
Still, I fired, holding I know not how much in front, and lo! that pheasant died in mid air, falling with a mighty splash near the bank of the lake, but at a great distance behind us.