THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



'I will find lookers-out,' ;uiswered our hero, 'and some of 

 the right sort, too. You must draft those two old cripples, 

 wlio are quite uiie(|ual to their task, and have long been 

 so.' 



' Well, to be sure,' said Perren, ' they are poor creatures for 

 that purpose, sir, but you know ' 



' Yes, yes,' exclaimed Francis, ' I know what you are 

 going to say ; they are worn out in our service ; but I shall 

 not forget that circumstance ; and I will take care to provide 

 foi" them, although I believe they have ginned many a hare in 

 their time, and spent the money they sold them for in the 

 alehouse.' 



' Well, to be sure,' continued Perren, ' they both loves 

 a drop of drink, as most people who follows held sports 

 commonly do; but I never catched them out in selling any 

 game.' 



' I dare say not,' answered Frank ; ' they are both too sly for 

 that.' 



Then, again, a conversation took place, in the stable, 

 between the young Squire and the coachman, somewhat to 

 this effect : — 



' I must make my father get rid of these infernal long-tailed 

 blacks,' said the former ; ' they are really only fit for a London 

 black job.' 



' You are quite right, sir,' observed the latter ; ' I am really 

 quite ashamed of them when we go to the races, or to dine 

 at Sir John's, or Lord Morton's. In short, the sarvants make 

 game of me, and tell me I want nothing but the cold-meat cart 

 behind me ; and one of them — a London sarvant, who was at 

 the Grange on a visit — axed me if I warn't agoing to be coach- 

 man to King Pluto ? But I tell you, Mr. Francis, it's no use 

 speaking to the Squire about these here old blacks ; it's my 

 lady that will do the business. I often hear my lady praising 

 other gentlefolk's coach-horses; and I once heard her say she 

 " wished Mr. Raby would get a better sort in his stable." Now 

 you know, sir, the Squire never refuses my lady anything ; see 

 what expense he goes to with those tame pheasants, and that 

 trumpery flower-garden ; I am sure, sir, one word from my lady 

 would do it.' 



' Oh, I'll do it,' said Frank : ' I am determined these 

 stinking, greasy-heeled brutes shall be drafted, and that 



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