POACHERS AND POACHING. 49 



pheasants, hares, and rabbits dotting about the 

 road like farmyard things, and yet no boards were 

 up to warn people off; and the very numerous 

 school children did not throw stones at them, for 

 the simple reason that they belonged to the old 

 Squire. Where the children were allowed to go 

 gathering blackberries, I have seen more game 

 about than will ever be seen again under similar 

 circumstances. 



How creatures are captured I shall not even 

 surmise here ; there has been a little too much 

 of the amateur poacher literature about lately. Is 

 it likely that those who have the knowledge will 

 spread it broadcast ? But if our readers have the 

 notion that the clever procurer of contraband game 

 is some slouching hob-nailed ruffian in a beer- 

 stained, dirty, velveteen coat and hob- nailed shoes, 

 with a bludgeon tucked under his arm, it will be 

 well to get rid of that idea at once. 



In southern counties poaching has become a 

 refined woodland science. 



" I wish you would tell me when you are com- 

 ing," said a keeper jeeringly to one of this class, 

 whom he had tried to capture, but failed. They 



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