270 FACT AGAIXST FICTION. 



joy, I was close upon him. As I reacliecl him he 

 dashed out of sight again, but I followed his wake 

 by the shaking furze, and a little distance further 

 on, in a slightly open spot in the middle of the 

 cover, to my great joy I beheld him seated on 

 my dead doe. From the higher ground, where the 

 thieves had dropped their burden, I think they 

 must have seen me in pursuit ; be that as it may, 

 I got my deer. Leaving my dog in charge of the 

 venison, I then broke out of the cover, and, putting 

 my hat on the muzzle of my rifle, — or my hand- 

 kerchief, I forget which, — I Avaved it, and, as I 

 hoped to do, gained the attention of my man or 

 men. As soon as I had delivered the doe to their 

 custody, I went back, and, getting on the line, 

 made straight for the three platelayers before 

 mentioned, for I thought they must have seen the 

 thieves cross the line. It must have been an 

 unusual sight to see a man upon the line sur- 

 rounded by dogs ; but^ nevertheless, not a man lifted 

 his head to look at me, but each fellow became 

 immensely occupied Avith his work. Not a word 

 Avas spoken till I put my hand on their shoulders 

 one by one, aiid told tliem I arrested them for steal- 

 ing deer from the Crown. I inspected their clothes, 



