54 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



somebody that got a grudge agin' me, when I went 

 to find a hole all to himself for that werry rabbit 

 what you has in your hand." 



Unfortunately Barnaby's story was not believed, 

 for his veracity at all times was questionable : if 

 he was obliged to speak the truth, he invariably 

 mildly protested against it, as bad form. Like the 

 Heathen Chinee we read of, Barnaby invariably 

 wore a childlike smile on his countenance. When 

 he paid one of his numerous fines he would smile, 

 and say how very hardly some people used him, 

 but he'd " forgive 'em," poor creatures. 



Once he was caught with a couple of brace of 

 pheasants. " Yes, here they are, poor things they 

 will come to me. I can't make it out, they will 

 come. But bless ye, here they are, I don't want 

 'em they ain't no use to me, you hev 'em." As 

 this offer was made to the owner of the birds, and 

 on the very property where he had caught them, it 

 very naturally roused some dander. 



Gudgeon and minnow streams, the children's 

 waters, are closed in many districts, and the stickle- 

 backs in country streams are no longer seen. What 

 is the meaning of this ? Something is wrong some- 



