1 60 The Gamekeeper at Home. 



business of dealing in pigs, calves, potatoes, &c., and 

 keep a light cart, or similar conveyance. Now, if any- 

 one will notice the more disreputable of these beer- 

 houses, they will observe that there are generally a. 

 lot of unkempt, rough-looking dogs about them. 

 These, of course, follow their master when he goes 

 on his short journeys from place to place ; and they 

 are quite capable of mischief. Such men may not 

 make a business of poaching, yet if in passing a. 

 preserve the dogs stray and bring back something 

 eatable, why, it is very easy to stow it under the seat 

 with the potatoes. Sometimes a man is bold enough 

 to carry a gun in this way — to jump out when he 

 sees a chance and have a shot, and back and off 

 before any one knows exactly what is going on. 



Somehow there always seems to be a market for 

 game out of season : it is ? passed ' somewhere, just 

 as thieves pass stolen jewellery. So also fish, even 

 when manifestly unfit for table, in the midst of 

 spawning time, commands a ready sale if overlooked 

 by the authorities. It is curious that people can be 

 found to purchase fish in such a condition ; but it is 

 certain that they do. In the spring, when one would 

 think bird and beast might be permitted a breathing- 

 space, the poacher is as busy as ever after eggs. 

 Pheasant and partridge eggs are largely bought and 



