196 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



for a glass of water, or milk if we could get it. 

 The old lady of trie house was busy making 

 butter, and had apparently turned out the 

 wrong side, so our reception was not of the 

 most cordial character. My poor old dog Rose 

 was the first to catch it, she had taken up her 

 quarters under the table, from which she was 

 speedily ousted with the butt end of a broom- 

 stick, which we half expected would be applied 

 to oar shoulders afterwards. However, after 

 being well rated for a pair of poachers, we were 

 given a glass of skimmed milk, and took our 

 departure. The next Sunday after this many 

 of the neighbouring farmers with their wives 

 and families came on board the ship at my 

 invitation to attend Divine Service, and dine 

 with me afterwards. To our great amusement, 

 among the earliest of the arrivals was our 

 excitable hostess, arrayed in her holiday best ; 

 the poor old lady's horror and astonishment at 

 finding that the two dirty-looking poachers 

 were officers in her Majesty's service was 

 amusing. But to make matters worse, whilst 



