184 REMINISCENCES OF A HUNTSiMAN. 



the pheasants roosted low, the seven or eight shot 

 they carried did not destroy them for sale. I have 

 these guns still in my possession. The instant I saw 

 these much-wished-lbr engines, which, to the best of 

 my belief, were two of those that were out when 

 Coles was shot, though he was shot by a larger one, 

 I stepped quickly up and took them under my arm. 

 Up sprang the three fellows, with a demand that I 

 should leave the guns alone, and where was my right 

 or warrant to seize them ? No time to lose, that I 

 saw ; so, springing back to the little low and narrow 

 entrance or passage from the room, and drawing my 

 truncheon, I told them " that was the warrant, and 

 I would split the head of any man who assailed me." 

 They all three came on, but I drew back so that only 

 one could come in at me at a time, which no one of 

 them seemed inclined to be the first to do, and, 

 during their hesitation, three strides backwards took 

 me into the bar and to the door, where, to my horror, 

 I found my horse in custody of the fourth man whom 

 I had seen go out. It was as near a thing as could 

 be that I did not strike him, but he whispered, 

 " Mount, sir;" and I saw the rein thrown on Noma's 

 neck in readiness, and that his hand held the stirrup. 

 I mounted just as the three fellows from within came 

 out in my wake swearing at me ; so, telling them I 

 cared nothing for their menaces, I walked my horse 

 slowly away, guns and all. The tinker and public- 

 house keeper " flitted," and I heard of him no more. 

 There was evidence to prove that he had been the 

 receiver of stolen game, and I believe he had been 

 more or less connected with the transactions of the 

 night on Avliich the keeper was murdered. That he 

 himself was a poacher I know, from having met him 



