CAPTURE OF A TRESrASSER'S GUN. 187 



feet higli, and about thirteen stone. On the keeper's 

 hesitation I told him I was much displeased. It was 

 his duty to take Goliah's gun from him if he came, 

 and 1 would have it done or he should not Ion 12: be a 

 servant of mine. One beautiful afternoon, when the 

 rabbits were out at feed, shaking their ears at the 

 flies, my keeper and myself were on the watch. We 

 heard a gun, and disputed as to the direction in 

 which it was. I was sure I was right by the flight 

 of a wood-pigeon, but, as " Savage " persisted he was 

 correct, I sent him to follow the course he intimated, 

 while I went the other way. I firmly believe Savage 

 intended, in this instance, to have led away from any 

 encounter, for he looked blank when he received my 

 orders, and saw that I was resolved to follow my own 

 opinion. As I expected, I soon came in sight of the 

 big young man, who had reloaded and was going 

 on creeping after the rabbits. Savage having told 

 me that this young fellow was looked on as a sort 

 of cock -of- the -walk, I provided, as I recommend 

 all young men to do in similar situations, against 

 emergencies, and I took off my neckcloth and put 

 it in my pocket. It is disagreeable to get the 

 hard knuckles of a strong arm inside the neckcloth, 

 the back of the assailant's hand pressing on the 

 jugular ; and I would on no account advise my friendly 

 readers to risk a trial of it. Having thus cleared 

 for action, I went up to the trespasser in pursuit of 

 rabbits, though he stood on his father's farm, and 

 requested him to desist. He refused to do so, when 

 1 fairly told him if he persisted in that refusal I 

 should prevent the trespass the best way I could. 

 Refusing still, he commenced searching for rabbits ; 

 so I closed with him and took away his gun. I 



