A MANOR HOUSE IN DEER LAND. 183 



a hare net. The net being set for him in 

 a gateway, he was instructed to instantly 

 fall on anything that entered it. He took 

 his stand ; the poachers went on to different 

 gateways and gaps, set their own nets, and 

 finally despatched their dogs. The young 

 poacher watched his net as closely as he 

 could in the darkness, ready to obey his 

 orders. All at once something struck the 

 net ; he fell headlong on it and got it under 

 him right enough, but the next instant he 

 received a terrible bite. He shouted and 

 yelled ' Murder ! ' at the top of his voice, but 

 held on groaning to the net and the creature 

 in it, though in an agony of pain. 



No one came to his assistance, for at the 

 sound of his yell the poachers imagined the 

 keepers were collaring him, and snatching up 

 their nets ran off at full speed. Shouting and 

 yelling, he struggled and held the creature 

 down till he had kicked it to death, when he 

 found it was a badger. Out feeding, the 

 badger had been alarmed by the dog, and 



