in the bag, which was pushed through the hedge.





CHAPTER III



TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION


Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged
in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook. Perhaps
the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of
increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that
they appeared entangled in each other. This oak was a favourite
perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily
climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the
trunk. With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs
therefore were a great advantage.

One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a
seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a
chair and about twenty feet above the mound. Some lesser branches
afforded a fork on which the gun could be securely lodged, and a limb of
considerable size came across in front. Leaning both arms on this, a
view could be obtained below and on three sides easily and without
effort.