18 WANDERINGS AND MEMORIES 



part of the hare when it sought to escape. The 

 second dog was given an order, and galloped off 

 along the hedgerow to the far end of the field, 

 which it proceeded to quarter, until a hare was 

 started. This dog chased its quarry until it was 

 within thirty yards of the gate, and as the latter 

 " jinked " through the opening, the second dog 

 sprang out and killed it instantly. The first dog 

 then again ranged the field and moved another 

 hare to the gate. This victim was also killed in the 

 same manner. 



Immediately on the death of the second hare the 

 poacher who had first released the dogs called them, 

 and they at once jumped up into the well, whilst 

 the dead hares were locked in another small box 

 fitted under the cart. 



The whole operation took less than five minutes, 

 and was so cleanly and skilfully done that detec- 

 tion was scarcely possible. Even if a keeper had 

 appeared on the scene the men would doubtless 

 have whistled to the dogs and driven off at full 

 speed. 



One day in 1878, when walking along the 

 Brompton Road, I noticed a sign " Bicycling taught 

 here." The prospect was alluring, so I went in, 

 and found myself in a large enclosure where 

 aspirants were pursuing their wobbly way on the 

 old wooden bone-shakers. I took four lessons, 

 and used to ride round the squares on one of these 

 hireling's monstrosities. Soon after I had learned 

 to ride two boys bet me a sovereign I could not ride 

 from Cromwell Place to Piccadilly Circus and back, 

 and of course I took the wager. One boy went to 

 the Circus to see that I got there. Bicycling on a 



