'The Confessions of a Poacher. 153 



about three brace of birds, however, I 

 heard a sudden crash among the underwood, 

 when I immediately jumped behind the bole of 

 a tree, and kept closely against it. 



The head-keeper had my companion down 

 before he could resist, and I only remained 

 undiscovered for a few seconds. One of the 

 under-keepers seized me, but, being a good 

 wrestler, I soon threw him into a dense brake 

 of brambles and blackthorn. Then I bolted 

 with the third man close behind. I could 

 easily have outrun him over the rough country 

 that lay outside the wood, but ah ! these 

 " buts " there was a stiff stone fence fully 

 five feet high betwixt me and the open. Un- 

 less I could " fly " the fence he would have 

 me. I clutched my pockets, steadied myself 

 for the leap and then sprang. I heard my 

 pursuer stop for a second to await the issue. 

 Weighted as I was I caught the coping, and 

 fell back heavily into the wood. As soon as 

 the keeper saw I was down he rushed forward 

 and hit me heavily on the head with a stave. 

 The sharp corner cut right through the skin, 



L 2 



