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Porlock, to enjoy a week's hunting in the open and ex- 

 tensive commons in that locality ; and rare sport we had 

 day after day both with fox and hare. I was accom- 

 panied by the Rev. J. Pomeroy Gilbert, there to be 

 joined by the Rev. H. Farr Yeatman, two of the best 

 and most accomplished sportsmen I ever met, to whose 

 names let me add that of George Templer of Stover ; 

 such a trio they were as the world has rarely seen to- 

 gether in the hunting-field. On our return from the 

 hills one evening, Mrs Smith, our hostess at the Ship 

 Hotel, where we were staying, thus accosted me : — 



' " If you plaise, Mr Rissel, that old scamp. Squire 

 Tamlyn as they call 'en, hath a been down here to 

 forbid you from hunting over his property. Now, 

 hearken to me, sir, and us'll tackle 'en as all sich 

 varmint ouft to be tackled. Ask 'en to come here and 

 dine with 'ee to-morrow, and when he'th sot down com- 

 fortable afore the fire, give the t'other gentlemen a wink 

 to leave the room, and I'll come in quietly behind 'en, 

 seize both his arms, and then do you wallop 'en over the 

 face and eyes till he sings out for mercy. I'll never let 

 en go, mind, till you've a finished with 'en ; and that I'll 

 promise ye." 



'At this point I ventured to remonstrate with her, 

 urging; first, that it would be a gross breach of 

 hospitality, and then that a summons for assault would 

 be sure to follow. 



' " But," exclaimed the woman, " the magistrates shan't 

 get a word out of me to convict you, sir, if he doth get 

 a summons ; and what's more, I'll tell 'en two or 

 three such pretty stories about 'en, as he won't like 

 to hear : and there the matter '11 end." 



' The next day, with the view of propitiating Mr 



