194 REMINISCENCES OF A HUNTSMAN 



dusk one evening, when he thought the coast was clear, fired 

 into the midst of a tame covey which had flown over my fence 

 to jug or roost on his stubble ; he wounded three or four, and 

 two fell dead on my land. Up got Dewy, who witnessed the 

 whole transaction. " Worse nor the rabbut this ! " he cried ; 

 " and it'll cost thee a good deal more." His remark was per- 

 fectly true, for the tenant had to pay a fine of ten pounds 

 under the Tax Acts, and, all too late, the cost of a game certifi- 

 cate, besides expenses; in addition to this, he was fined for 

 cutting and using a portion of my hedgerow. Upon this farm 

 now is located an excellent farmer and man, named Hailey. 

 I used to rent the shooting of the farm he had before he 

 came to this ; and in the thirteen years I have known him I 

 never had reason to be displeased. If it ever falls to my lot to 

 have a farm to let, and he wanted one, he should not be five 

 minutes at a loss. 



