FRED'S PET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 45

FRED'S PET.

IN TWO CHAPTERS.

By Mubray Aston.

Chapter 11. Having wished Fred " Good-bye," Bertie returned to his father full of news. " Oh, father," he exclaimed, " that boy's name is Fred, and his age is just the same as mine, and he has a brother Ted, who's 17, and awfully fond of birds and things, and who goes all night to the bush to watch their goings on. And, father, what do you think ? His brother Ted says he is sure there's a stag in the bush. JFancy, father, a real live stag, and so near Dunedin, too V "Where do they live, Bertie? " asked hie father. " At St. Leonards, father," said the boy. "Then it mustjiave found its way there from Palmerston, I suppose," said Mr Williams. " And, father," went on Bertie, " there are quails and pheasants in/ the bush, Fred says." Mr Williams started on hearing this. He was dearly fond of shooting, for he had been used to sport femong the partridges and pheasants in the old country ; but he had never aspired to the luxury of deer-stalking, and scarcely realised that such a king of sport was within his reach, as it is of any resident in Otago who can pay for a license and raise the wherewithal to pay his expenses to either the Palmerston or Tapanui districts, in both of which localities herds of fine deer, of different species, moreover, are to be encountered. So* after a little reflection he gave Bertie a gentle slap on the shoulder, and said :

" We'll have some shooting, Bertie— eh, old man 1 It isn't so very far to St. Leonards — not more than five miles, I reckon ; and I'd dearly love to knock over a pheasant or two once more, not to mention the quail."

And Mr Williams's eyes fairly glistened at the prospect of his beloved sport.

" But, father, may you Bhoot where you like at St. Leonards ; won't the policeman come after you?"

11 Oh, Ithinknot, my boy — the police won't trouble us. The people are so pestered with rabbits that, as a rule, they welcome any one with a gun on their property. Bat, should they raise any objection, I think I can satisfy their scruples," said Mr Williams.

It was accordingly agreed that on the following Saturday they should start early, if fine, and spend the whole day in the bush.

Bertie, when the eventful day arrived, was out of bed very early. He was delighted to see the sun rise in a cloudless sky, and at once proceeded to call his father. An early breakfast followed ; and Mrs Williams provided plenty of sandwiches, pies, and cake, and a supply of tea, with a billy, was not forgotten. Bertie's heart, too, was rejoiced with the present of a handsome pea rifle, -which, however, he was only for the present to"" be allowed to carry when out with his" father. This was certainly a wise and kind provision on the part of his parents, since so many gun accidents happen through the careless übo of firearms by young people ; and Bertie was sensible enough to see that his father was only thinking of his little son's welfare when he insisted on this exercise of care.

It was a goodly sight to Bee Bertie on his way to the Dunedin railway station. He was a proud lad as he marched by his dear father's side, with his precious rifle in one hand, the billy full of good things in the other, and his father's cartridge pouch under his arm, secured by a long strap over his right shoulder. His pride, under the circumstances, was quite pardonable; and several lads they met on the way cast envious glances at the happy boy. They were in good time for the 7.40 a.m. train, and 20 minutes later saw them safely disembarked at St. Leonards railway station.

" I wonder where Fred lives ? " 'said Bertie, who thought his father intended te take the brothers into the bush with them. But that was not the intention of Mr Williams, 'who preferred the society of his son to that of any one else. A few minutes' walk up a stiff bit of hill and they were in the bußh. They both loaded their guns; and, having ■hidden away their billy and provisions in a bush near a beautiful little stream of water, they started off in eager quest of game. They, however, were doomed to bitter disappointment, for they did not during the -whole of the morning so much as catch -sight of a single rabbit ;even, and beyond a tuior two, which Mr Williams would not allow Bertie to fire at, since, as he explained, it "was one of our most beautiful native birds, "which are so rapidly becoming extinct, and ■is moreover protected by law. They, how■ever, had a most invigorating and appetising walk, so that when, about midday, they Returned to the spot where they had stowed feway their lunch, it was with true hunters' appetites that they attacked their midday meal. Bertie had soon collected some dry fuel, and the water from the stream, which was unusally soft and pure, made an excellent brew of tea in a very few minutes. Then Mr Williams felt tired, and said he Would take a short nap ; and Bertie, with his beloved rifle on his shoulder, wandered away telone. Presently he thought he would rest awhile, and accordingly stretched himself at full length on some nice dry grass tinder the shadow of a large manuka bush. Suddenly, about 20yds off, he caught sight of something moving in the grass. Oautiously fee got his rifle up to his shoulder and, taking steady aim, — crack,! Starting to his ftet-, he could see nothing move, and imagine his joy on approaching 'the spot to find a dead rabbit, shot clean through the head. That was a proud ■moment for Bertie. Picking up the animal, he ran "&s fast as his legs could carry him 'towards the spot where he had left his father, when, turning a corner rather •sharply, he nearly fell info the arms of a boy, accompanied by a young man, who were •evidently on the way to see who had fired

the sshott t and one of them was Fred, and the other his brother Ted.

Bertie's delight was a sight to behold, and he was so excited that he did not wait to be introduced to Ted, but shook him cordially by the hand as though he had known him all his lifetime.

" Oome od, Fred," he exclaimed; "father is jast here," and the trio were soon by the side of Mr Williams, who lay fast asleep after his exertions of the early part of the day.

" Wake up, father, dear ! Here's Fred and Ted ; 'and I've shot a rabbit 1 "

Mr Williams sat up and rubbed his eyes, and it took him several seconds to realise where he was. Presently he comprehended the position of affairs, and gave a kindly smile of recognition to Fred and Ted, and then found time to congratulate Bertie on his success, and asked him to give full particulars of the event, which Bertie did as briefly as possible ; and then Mr Williams, turning to the brothers, deplored his own want of lack. Thereupon, Ted said modestly :

" I think I can take you, sir, to a likely spot for quail, and perhaps you may get a shot at a pheasant also."

Mr Williams waa soon on his feet on hearing this good news, and a steady trudge of two miles brought them to a lovely spot in a most secluded part, and Ted signing to Mr Williams to proceed first, the party walked in single file behind him, when suddenly there was a whirring of wings, and Mr Williams fired both barrels into the. midst of a covey of about 20 quail which rose right in front of him. Bertie was not able to get a shot, but his father secured no less than three couples of beautiful birds. Theße were soon gathered up, and then Ted said eagerly : 11 Oome this way, sir, please ; only about 50vds. Is your gun loaded 1 Look out 1 " And as he spoke there was a loud cry from a cock pheasant which flew up some 30yds in advance of the sportsmen. Again Mr Williams fired, and Again good luck befell him, for the bird fell with a heavy thud to the ground and lay motionless.

It was a grand pheasant in full plumage and with very long spurs. Mr Williams now thought it about time for them to return. An ardent sportsman, he did not care to kill for killing's sake, so that although Ted whispered to him that they might see the deer if they waited untilafter sunset, Mr Williams preferred, for various reasons, to return home. He, however, took a particular liking to Tedrwho was, he found, very intelligent and fairly educated, and only .wanted a start in life to make bis mark, and this Mr Williams determined to give him by taking him into his

office, and' Fred is to follow when a year older. Dame Fortune is smiling on the Smith family now ; and they are not in want ■of common necessaries as formerly, and Fred [often declares that it was his pet that brought them all the luck, and his mother 'thereupon is fond of saying : ' " Show your gratitnde to your pets, my boy, by cleaning their cages out, and feeding them regularly."