248 THE POACHER*. 



have purchased a licence, and if we are fortunate enough to be cap- 

 tured to night, I intend winning a bride in the disguise of a poacher." 



I applauded the stratagem, and at his request offered my assistance, 

 and as his father was lord of the manor, felt entirely at ease about 

 consequences. 



We had now reached the scroggs, which lay stretched out before 

 us in illimitable dimness ; a scene such as is only to be witnessed in 

 a few solitary parts of England, now rose before us in the shadowy 

 stillness of starlight ; old moss-grown thorns, which had risen to the 

 height and circumference of dwarf-oaks, were scattered on every 

 hand, while lofty trees, whose high heads and branching arms towered 

 above like earth-striding Titans, bespoke that hundreds of eternity- 

 grasped years, had glided away since first they arose limber saplings, 

 that quivered to every blast. Long rank luxuriant grass which had 

 never been shaken by the sweeping scythe, overhung the close-woven 

 bracken and furze, while far away as the eye could measure, wild- 

 sloes, crab-trees, brambles, and every variety of briar and thorn 

 formed a long low impenetrable forest, which the foot of man,, doubt- 

 less, had never trodden. By ascending the top of some solitary pine 

 which overlooked a greater part of this stubborn dwarf forest, you 

 could observe an immense sheet of water, where thousands of happy 

 birds rode in safety, which the murderous gun had never reached. 

 Many a time, when a boy, have I climbed the top of some lofty 

 tree, and sat gazing upon that scene for hours, until every sullen 

 sloe that grew around, had arisen in my imagination a monster, to 

 guard that enchanted lake, while the white-bosomed birds that flitted 

 above with the sun-shine gilding their wings, seemed innocent spirits, 

 who had made their dwelling there to avoid the destroying hand of 

 man. Yes ! even then, I would have given my " Robinson Crusoe," 

 my only treasure, to have been one of these beautiful tall white flowers 

 which stood day and night, gazing upon its own lovely shadow in that 

 silent water; but these were boyish dreams, and have for ever fled, 

 alas ! to give place to gloomy realities. Little did I then dream, while 

 gazing on that delightful scene, a happy boy, that the canker-worm 

 of care would be eating deep into my aching heart, when I should 

 have to throw my mind back upon years of remembered happiness, 

 and describe it for the amusement of my readers. 



" Now, Tom," said Woodcock, " you must stand against that tree, 

 and keep a bright look out down that sand-bank, round that corner 

 of the wood, and up yon stream as you may see skimming under 

 those woods, for there is no other way. And you, sir," addressing 

 the stranger, " will perhaps have the kindness to stay with Tom, and 

 help him to keep watch, for night has no eyes." 



The stranger produced his cigar case and Promethean matches, and 

 there we stood, two traitorous centinels, not caring how soon the 

 enemy approached and made us all prisoners, at least we both felt 

 willing to be captured. 



"Had you not better," said I, addressing Woodcock who had 

 been busy in preparing his springs, and was making for the furze- 

 beds " commence planting the snares down this line of broom- 



