330 WITH NATURE AND A CAMERA. 



cottag-e. He was in many respects one of the 

 most curious men with whom we have come in 

 contact. Well -versed in everything pertaining to 

 field-craft, slow and deliberate, but of the most set 

 purjjose and dogged determination, strong as an ox, 

 and courageous as a lion, but withal tender-hearted 

 to a degree. 



When quite a small boy he was apprenticed to a 

 gamekeeper who, though a strict disciplinarian where 

 others were concerned, was totally unable to hold 

 himself under control. He used to set his apprentice 

 to mind young pheasants in the morning and, leaving 

 him for the seductive conviviality of a neighbouring 

 public-house, say — "If I'm not back by the time the 

 so-and-so train passes this morning, you'll know I'm 

 done for for the day, but don't you leave tlie birds." 

 It was often one and two o'clock the following morn- 

 ing before the deljauchee turned up again, and found 

 his youthful apprentice crying, but resolutely stick- 

 ing to his post, in spite of wind and rain and the 

 terrible loneliness of his vigil-keeping. 



Although, comparatively speaking, still only a 

 young man, our iriend's experiences throw a lurid 

 light upon the dangers of his vocation. He has 

 had his comrade shot dead Ijeside him by a 

 poacher in cold blood, has Ijeen deliberately shot 

 Inmself by a meml^er of the same fraternity, 

 threatened with murder any nund^er of times, 

 and once or twice Ijeen thoroughly peppered with 

 shot by accident. 



We have several times visited the Fame Islands, 

 and upon each occasion have receivcMl the most 

 courteous and kindly attention from ll()l)ert Darling 

 and his fellow-watcliers, the brotliers Patterson, who 

 • are employed by an association for the })i'(^tecti()n 

 of the sea-birds breeding on this famous grouj) of 



