THE POACHERS. 251 



" You may go if you like/' said Mike, " but I'll be " 



" Hold," said the stranger, " be guided by me, and I'll be re- 

 sponsible for the consequences of our visit." 



" What !" said Woodcock, " if he commits us to Southwell for a 

 month, will you sooner pay five pounds a-piece for us than let us 

 go?" 



" I will," answered the stranger. 



Glances were exchanged between the keeper and his companions, 

 which signified they understood the stranger to be no common 

 poacher. 



Woodcock now proceeded to tie the hares together ; throwing 

 seven over the shoulder of Mike, and loading himself with the re- 

 maining eight. 



" You surely don't intend exposing them before the 'Squire?" 

 said I, jocosely. 



" Why not?" answered Woodcock; " we may as well be hanged 

 for a sheep as a lamb." 



" You had better leave them with us," said the farmer men, who 

 were the keeper's companions. 



" There's plenty more on the scroggs," said he ; " you've the same 

 chance of catching 'em as I had." 



Nothing further occurred until we reached Somerby-Hall ; when 

 we entered the large kitchen, the keeper bade us stay, and carried 

 the tidings to the 'Squire. 



" Bring them forward," exclaimed a rich mellow voice ; and into 

 the large dining-room we were all marched ; the dogs first, then the 

 stranger and game-keeper, followed by me and Woodcock, with the 

 hares slung over his shoulder, smoking a short black pipe ; then 

 came Mike and Smith, followed by the keeper's assistants. 



At one end of the long mahogany table sat the 'Squire, in his 

 large easy chair ; his hair was as white as silver ; his fine ruddy face 

 was the picture of kind-heartedness. On his right sat his lovely 

 daughter. I have seen many beautiful women, but none so cal- 

 culated to wound a young heart with love at the first sight as Emma 

 Beckett. Her mother, and two young ladies who were visitors, 

 which accounted for the old gentleman been up so late, completed 

 the party. The young ladies rose to retire, when the old 'Squire 

 kindly said. " Sit still, my dears, I shall soon have done/' Emma's 

 eyes seemed rivetted upon the strangers. 



Just as the session was about opening, an unexpected war broke 

 out between Mike's dog and a beautiful white cat j which must have 

 been worried had not Mike sprang to its release ; which he did, by 

 throwing down his load of hares upon the mahogany table, and over- 

 turning a wine decanter in his hurry. Emma had also arisen to the 

 rescue of poor puss, which was now lodged safely in the stranger's 

 arms. He presented the affrighted cat to the lovely maiden ; and, 

 at the same time, slipped a note into her hand. I perceived, by the 

 brightening of her beautiful eyes, that she had already recognized 

 him. 



" Well," said the old 'Squire, " what have you poachers got to 

 say for yourselves ? Anything, or nothing ? Must I write out your 



