WARWICK WOODLANDS. 141 



and he a kind of weak like, and they'd overhauled him once and 

 again, and tackled him, but there was only four on them, and 

 so he beat them off like every time, and onned again ! They 

 couldn't hold him no how, till I got up to them, and I couldn't 

 fix it no how, so as I'd git another shot at him ; but it was 

 growin' dark fast, and I flogged off the sluts arter a deal o' 

 work, and viewed him down the old blind run-way into the 

 swale eend, where I telled you ; and then I laid still quite a 

 piece ; and then I circled round, to see if he'd quit it, and not 

 one dog tuk track on him, and so I feels right sartain as he's in 

 that hole now, and will be in the mornin', if so be we goes there 

 in time, afore the sun's up.'' 



" That we can do easily enough," said Archer, " what do you 

 say, Tom ? Is it worth while ?" 



" Why," answered old Draw instantly, " if so be only we 

 could be sartain that the darned critter warn't a lyin', there 

 couldn't be no doubt about it; for if the buck did lay up there this 

 night, why he'll be there to-morrow ; and if so be he's there, 

 why we can get him sure !'' 



" Well, Jem, what have you got to say now," said the Com- 

 modore ; " is it the truth or no ?" 



" Why, darn it all," retorted Jem, " harn't I just told you it 

 was true ; it's most blamed hard a fellow can't be believed now 

 why, Mr Aircher, did I ever lie to you ?" 



"Oh ! if you ask me that,'' said Harry, "you know I must 

 say * Yes !' for you have, fifty times at the least computation. 

 Do you remember the day you towed me up the Decker's run 

 to look for woodcock ?" 



" And you found nothing," interrupted Tom, " but " 



" Oh shut up, do, Tom," broke in Forester, " and let us hear 

 about this buck. If we agree to give you a five dollar bill, 

 Jem, in case we do find him where you say, what will you be 

 willing to forfeit if we do not ?" 



" You may shoot at me !'' answered Jem, " all on you ivery 

 one on you at forty yards, with rifle or buckshot !'' 



" It certainly is very likely that we should be willing to get 

 hanged for the sake of shooting such a mangy hound as you, 

 Jem," answered Forester, *' when one could shoot a good clean 

 dog Tom's Dash, for example for nothing !" 



" Could you though ?" Tom replied, " I'd like to catch you 

 at it, my dear boy I'd wax the little hide off of you. But 

 come, let us be settling. Is it a lie now, Jeai ; speak outis 



