356 The Poacher. 



tain that it was on the right, others on the left ; but no one would 

 swear positively, and this mark of identity was useless. He ab- 

 sconded into a western county, and fell in with a character as despe- 

 rate as himself one " Bristol Jack," a low, coping horse-dealer. 

 They worked together for some time ; and not being very particular 

 how they obtained their horses, they soon got into trouble, and were 

 committed to Exeter gaol for horse-stealing. A notice was sent 

 down to us that one of these men was most probably the man we 

 wanted. A constable went down to identify Hammerton at his 

 trial. He was acquitted of horse-stealing, but on leaving the dock 

 was arrested on a poaching warrant by our constable and brought 

 back. Our assizes were held the following week. He was tried, 

 and found guilty - f but his sentence was a light one two years' 

 imprisonment. The words, " No firing, my lads use your butt- 

 ends," which he shouted to his gang when the keepers attacked 

 them, probably saved him from a heavier sentence. 



We had now got rid certainly of the worst of our gang, and for 

 a while our village was altered for the better j and Johnson's mind 

 was at rest. I have no doubt a little snaring and netting went on, 

 but the gang seemed to be broken up, and the deeds of violence 

 which had been committed during Hammerton's reign had become 

 almost a matter of history, and served now merely to furnish con- 

 versation among the rustics at the beer-house and the blacksmith's 

 shop. However, time sped on. Hammerton's two years were up j 

 and one afternoon, as Johnson was riding home from our village, 

 he met his old enemy walking into it, in better " working condi- 

 tion," as he told his friends, than ever he had been in his life. 

 Hammerton politely bade the keeper " Good afternoon," thanked 

 him for his kindness, and told him he would never forget it words 

 which bore an awful significance when uttered by as great a ruffian 

 as ever breathed. Johnson, however, was not a man to be frightened 

 by words j and merely telling the poacher that he had better not 

 let him get hold of him again, rode on. Hammerton certainly did 

 not forget Johnson's kindness to him, but took a very early oppor- 

 tunity of repaying the obligation. It was in August when he re- 



