Long Tails and Short Ones. -67 



may bring an action against you, with, the certainty of finding thirteen other 

 blackguards to back liim, particularly in a game case. The man who 

 breeds pheasants and spends no end of money in the country, which the 

 country would very soon miss if he didn't, deserves no mercy. He's a 

 bloated game preserver — sit on him, scrunch him, pickle him ! However, 

 let's hope that Snigswig market will be busy to-day, and the tobacco 

 and gin-and- water extra attractive afterwards." 



At this moment up came Johnson, the head keeper, with his terrier 

 at his heels. " Well, Johnson, what are we to do to-day?" 



"Well, sir, there's a decent sprinklin' of burds, and the tame ones is 

 werry fine and forrard. Hares there's a goodish few, and rabbits 

 midlin'. The leaf's 'ardly enough off for Chickweed Oaks and the thick 

 part o' Timwillows ; but I dessay we shan't do that bad on the whole ; 

 and if that 'ere Fipps don't turn up, why " 



" Oh, he won't turn up to-day. It's Snigswig market, and he don't 

 know we're goin' to shoot, for I only made up my own mind yesterday 

 afternoon." 



But Johnson shook his head doubtfully. " He be at market I knows, 

 'cos I seed 'un goo, and he dwoan't knaw as yet that you be goin' to 

 shoot." 



" As yet ! What do you mean ? " 



"Well, that 'ere little imp o' Eackstraw's see you drive up, and I 

 see him a-talkin' to Joe the higgler just arter, and he'll be sure to 

 be for Snigswig ; and it's much to me if Eipps don't get the office afore 

 noon." 



Raymond's countenance perceptibly darkened. 



" Imp of Rackstraw's ! ah ! " and he pondered. " By the way, I think 

 a little schooling would improve that young gentleman. My friend 

 Clippings is on your school board ; I'll give him a hint to look up 

 Rackstraw's imp, and we'll see if we can't get him some other occupation;" 

 and he performed a graceful wink to Johnson, who beamed all over, and 

 grinned huge approval of the suggestion. 



" However, let's be oft' ; Captain Charles and Mr. Mouser are waiting 

 for us at the cross-road ; so we'll start." 



