THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



question, whatever might be the result of the benign influence 

 of a more temperate dimate than tlie one in which he was then 

 living. This step was in contemplation, but met with the 

 same fate, in being also deemed impracticable, and was, of 

 course, at once abandoned. In short, the rupture of a blood- 

 vessel at the lungs, produced by a fit of coughing, brought 

 on a rapid exhaustion of a body already enfeebled by disease 

 and weakly from its birth ; and in less than a month from 

 the day on which that occurrence took place, this talented 

 and amiable, although somewhat eccentric young man, was 

 laid by the side of his ancestors in the family vault of Amstead 

 church. 



It is almost needless to remind the reader of the change 

 that had now taken place in the situation and prospects of our 

 hero. In the place of his being sure of succeeding to nothing 

 at the decease of his father, beyond his share of the money 

 settled on younger children on his marriage, which, as there 

 were only two, amounted to £15,000, he now found himself 

 heir apparent to the entire Amstead estate, settled by entail on 

 male heirs ; and likewise heir presumptive — at least, such had 

 he a right to consider himself — to the very considerable wealth 

 of his Tuicle. The effect of this change very soon became 

 visible ; two more hunters were talked of, as necessary to hunt 

 with the foxhounds, the Amstead harriers and ' old Dick ' 

 being considered as infra dig., if not absolute bores. Perren 

 also was spoken to, by the ' young Squire,' in a tone somewhat 

 different from what he had been previously accustomed to from 

 the late ' young S(|uire,' or even from our hero himself. ' I will 

 have lots of pheasants in the " Big Wood," ' said he to him one 

 day ; ' and likewise in " Blackthorn Rough " ; they will make 

 capital preserves.' 



' That they sai'tinly will, Mr. Francis,' replied Perren ; ' but 

 where am I to get the pheasants to stock them with '( I doubt 

 the Sc^uire will not stand the expense.' 



' D — n the expense ! ' said Francis ; ' I will find the pheasants. 

 I can have as many as I like from a man in London ; and if the 

 Squire will not pay for them, I will.' 



' But the l(jok('is-out, Mr. Fi'ancis,' resumed the keeper ; 

 'who is to pa}' tliem ? Old Will Hodges and Jack Barret will 

 have no chance against the poachers, when our covers arc full 

 of pheasants.' 



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