56 THE GROUSE 



ently, they derive from raiding neighbour- 

 ing game preserves. With these classes of 

 the poaching fraternity the keeper is gener- 

 ally well able to cope. But there is also the 

 professional inveterate poacher, invariably 

 of loose character and dangerous habits. 

 His offence is deliberate. He poaches to 

 gratify his depravities, shuns honest labour, 

 and is a drinker and gambler. He is an 

 expert in every art and device of plying 

 his nefarious practices. He is of a class 

 who work in gangs often with sweeping 

 effect. Nor are they, when disturbed, 

 unprepared to offer violent resistance to 

 escape detection. Provided with fire- 

 arms, dogs, nets, and all the implements 

 of capture, both of ground and winged 

 game, men of these habits are an 

 unmitigated curse both to themselves 

 and others. When convicted of offences 

 accompanied with violence or bloodshed 

 no leniency should be extended to them. 



The difficulties besetting gamekeepers 

 in the protection of their charges are not 

 lessened but increased by the laws affect- 



