On reaching the ground, the boys found a small collection of young men and lads already engaged in the cruel amusement; for the mark was a live fowl, tied to a stake.

The company assembled were of a decidedly low order, and Oscar at first felt almost ashamed to be seen among them.

Smoking, swearing, betting, and quarrelling, were all going on at once, interspersed with occasional shouts of laughter at some vulgar joke, or at the fluttering and cries of a wounded fowl.

Sometimes a poor chicken would receive several shots, before its misery would be terminated by a fatal one.

When one fowl was killed, a fresh one was brought forth.