Poachers arid Poaching. 29 



Few hares remained on the land ; these had 

 either been snared or netted at the gates. The 

 rabbits' burrows had been ferreted, an outhouse 

 near the keeper's cottage being entered to obtain 

 possession of the ferrets. It need hardly be said 

 that had the " Otter " been aware he would not 

 have countenanced these lawless doings of his 

 confreres. He claimed to " poach square," and 

 drew the line at home-reared pheasants, allowing 

 them " property." Those he found wild in the 

 woods, however, w r ere ferce naturce, and he 

 directed his engines accordingly. 



Every poacher knows that the difficulty lies 

 not so much in obtaining the game as in 

 transporting it safely home. Their dogs are 

 always trained to run on a couple of hundred 

 yards in advance, so as to give warning of 

 anyone's approach. If a police constable or 

 keeper is met on the highway the dog immediately 

 leaps the fence, and, under its cover, runs back 

 to its master. Seeing this the game-bag is 

 dropped into a dry ditch, and dog and man 

 make off in different directions. County con- 

 stables loiter about unfrequented lanes and by- 

 paths at daybreak. The poachers know this 

 and are rarely met with game upon them. 

 Ditches, stacks, and ricks afford good hiding 

 places until women can be sent to fetch the 

 spoil. These failing, country carriers and 

 morning' milk carts are useful to the poacher. 



