The Confessions of a ^Poacher. 95 



county constable, and consequently never 

 carried game upon me. This I secreted in 

 stack, rick, or disused farm building, until 

 such time as it could be safely fetched. Country 

 carriers, early morning milk-carts, and women 

 are all employed in getting the hauls into town. 

 In this women are by far the most successful. 

 Sometimes they are seen labouring under a 

 heavy load carried in a sack, with faggots and 

 rotten sticks protruding from the mouth ; or 

 again, with a large basket innocently covered 

 with crisp, green cresses which effectually hide 

 the bright silvery fish beneath. Our methods 

 of fish poaching are many. As we work 

 silently and in the night, the chances of success 

 are all in our favour. We walk much by the 

 stream side during the day, and take mental 

 notes of men and fish. We know the beats 

 of the watchers, and have the water-side by 

 heart. Long use has accustomed us to work 

 as well in the dark as in the light, and 

 this is essential. During summer, when the 

 water is low, the fish congregate in deep 

 "dubs." This they do for protection, and 



