50 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



had chanced to meet on the highroad. " Do warn 

 me next time you are coming." 



The poacher, with fist clenched ready for instant 

 attack if necessary, replied, " I will come to-night, 

 at twelve." 



It was a rough night, the keeper did not see 

 the man who had promised to come ; but next 

 day one of his under-keepers showed him some- 

 thing that convinced him to his sorrow that the 

 one he had jeered at had been, though not in 

 the place where he had expected him. Thick wits 

 pitted against keen ones are apt to get the worst 

 of it. 



A man who is always talking to his friends about 

 having his eye on people, and placing his hands 

 on them, is little heeded ; it is the quiet one, 

 that moves about as if, had the choice been given 

 him, he would have preferred the cloisters of some 

 monastery, who is feared by all breakers of sylvan 

 laws. As one who had got into trouble observed, 

 "Them 'ere gentlemen keepers licks ye clean. I'd 

 scarce put the toby in when he says, ' I want 

 you.' Where he come from got over me. I 

 thought as I'd hev a scrap for it, for there was 



