BILLY BREEZE. 163 



the river, whose name was Billy Bresze, and who had quite a 

 history. 



He had, first of all, been a policeman in London, but was 

 dismissed for drinking ; then he had returned to his native 

 village and turned poacher, and had been sent out to America 

 by means of a subscription raised in the neighbourhood, where 

 he was very popular in spite of his bad habits. On arriving in 

 America, he had gradually drifted West, never working long 

 anywhere, and had settled at St. Joe as a professional hunter, at 

 which he had done well, as game was very abundant and he 

 was a good shot. When the war broke out, Billy had joined 

 the northern army and had fought bravely, being wounded 

 twice ; the last time a bullet broke his leg and caused him to 

 limp ever after, so that he was discharged and returned to 

 St. Joe, where he took up his old calling again, adding to it the 

 breaking of dogs, at which he was very good. Here we found 

 him, and taking a fancy to him engaged him to go with us as 

 dog-keeper and general factotum. 



