24 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



showed fight, and we had tough work with 

 them. My father knew both men well, but he 

 <:ould not for the moment remember Cogdill's 

 name. Cogdill was a tall, powerfully built 

 man, and he refused to give his name, so my 

 father let go of Widdie Dell, and, after a short 

 tussle, threw the other, and then held him 

 down. Dell was armed with a fold-stake, and 

 the moment he saw his pal down he waved his 

 weapon above my father, swearing that he 



would *' smash his brains if he didn't 



leave go." It was just at this point that I 

 arrived on the scene, and although it all 

 happened more than fifty years ago, I can see 

 it now in my mind's eye as I write. 



There was father and Cogdill rolling on the 

 ground, and Widdie Dell dancing round them, 

 using fearful language, and working his stake 

 like a thrashing flail, every stroke getting 

 nearer my father. Father kept Cogdill down, 

 and old Dick stood by, looking on, and doing 

 nothing but shout from one to the other : " All 

 we want is civility — all we want is civility." 

 It occurred to me — though not apparently to 



