102 THE PHEASANT. 
a gun; the report of which is sure to bring an 
attentive keeper to the scene of their night's di- 
version. | 
To the illegal possession of the pheasant, alone, 
may be traced the cause of all the sanguinary noc- 
turnal conflicts between the poachers and _ those 
who are appointed to watch for its safety. The 
poacher is well aware that he cannot procure phea- 
sants without the aid of a gun; and he knows, at 
the same time, that the report of that gun will be- 
tray him, and bring up the watchers, against whom 
he would have no chance, single-handed. Where- 
fore, in order that he may come off victorious, he 
musters an overwhelming force of tinkers, cobblers, 
masons, smiths, and labourers, armed with blud- 
geons, and, perhaps, here and there a rusty gun. 
Taking the precaution to get well primed with beer, 
off they go, fully bent on having every thing their 
own way. . The pheasants fall; the watchers come 
up; oaths and curses are poured out, and a des- 
perate fray commences. Here are furnished, work 
important for the nearest magistrate, profit to his 
clerk, expense to the county, and practice for Mr. 
Ketch. Let it be also observed, that the unlawful 
capture of the hare and the partridge (which are 
really fere naturd) does not produce similar work 
of mischief. These are taken with nets and snares. 
The fewer poachers employed, the more certain is 
their success. A number of men would only do 
harm, and mar the plan of capture. So silently is 
this mode of poaching carried on, that the owner 
of the soil is not aware of the loss he is about to 
