144 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



the old earth-stoppers ; and they lose three things 

 — first, their consequence by it in some measure ; 

 next, a few half-crowns for stopping ; and thirdly, 

 they lose a great deal of unpleasant work, such as 

 getting up in the middle of the night, and going 

 out in the dark, in all weathers ; independent of 

 which, they lose a great deal of abuse for not 

 having done their duty. 



