The Confessions of a Poacher. 159 



search. As they were quite unaware of our 

 number they declined to enter, but invited us 

 into the open. We replied by barricading the 

 narrow doorway with poles and planks which 

 we found within. Of course this was only 

 completing our imprisonment, but we felt that 

 one or more of their number would be sent for 

 farther help, and that then we would make a 

 dash to escape. We agreed to take off in 

 different directions, to divide the attacking 

 force, and then lead them across the roughest 

 country we could find. A deep stream was 

 not far off, and here we would probably 

 escape. But our scheme went wrong or, 

 rather, we had no opportunity to put it into 

 practice. After waiting and listening awhile 

 we saw lights glisten in the chinks of the 

 heather walls, and then fumes of smoke began 

 to creep up them. They were burning us out. 

 Quietly as we could we undid the barricading, 

 and, as the air rushed in, tiny tongues of flame 

 shot up the heather. Now we lay low with 

 our faces on the damp floor. Then a pole was 

 thrust through. Another current of air and 



