152 REMINISCENCES OF A HUNTSMAN 



tenants by the large woods set up a claim to kill the rabbits. I 

 warned them that they must not do it, in vain ; for I still found 

 the wadding of their guns by the sides of the woods, and heard 

 their guns when I was otherwise engaged. My keeper stood six 

 feet one or two, and I ordered him, if they did not desist when 

 told to do so, to stop it by force, and to take their guns away. 

 As to the son of one of these tenants, my keeper seemed to hesi- 

 tate whether he could take his gun from him, he being a stout, 

 well-built young man, in the prime of life, nearly six feet high, 

 and about thirteen stone. On the keeper's hesitation I told him 

 I was much displeased. It was his duty to take Goliath's gun 

 from him if he came, and I would have it done or he should not 

 long 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 1 

 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 press- 

 ing 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 I 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 



