Traitors on the Gibbet 89 



of many on the upper row ; nothing remained but the 

 grim and rusty nail. Further along there hung small 

 strips without shape. Beyond these the nails sup- 

 ported something that had a rough outline still of the 

 animal. In the second row the dried and shrivelled 

 creatures were closely wrapped in nature's mummy- 

 cloth of green ; in the third, some of those last exposed 

 still retained a dull brown colour. None were recent. 

 Above, under the eaves, the spiders' webs had thickly 

 gathered ; beneath, the nettles flourished. 



But the end of the shed was the place where the 

 more distinguished offenders were gibbeted. A foot- 

 path, well worn and evidently much used, went by 

 this end, and, as I afterwards ascertained, com- 

 municated with the mansion above and the keeper's 

 cottage some distance below. Every passenger be- 

 tween must pass the gallows where the show of more 

 noble traitors gave proof of the keeper's loyal activity. 

 Four shorter rows rose in tiers. To the nails at the 

 top strong beaks and black feathers adhered, much 

 bedraggled and ruffled by weather. These crows 

 had long been dead : the keeper when he shot a crow 

 did not trouble to have it carried home, unless a nail 

 was conspicuously vacant. The ignoble bird was left 

 where he fell. 



On the next row the black and white of magpies 



