MY FIRST AFFRAY AVITH POACHERS. 25 



old Dick — that we were in the wrong company 

 to get civility. My father had put down his 

 gun in order to collar the two men, and this I 

 now took up. 



" I know you, Widdie Dell," said my father, 

 as he let him go, holding fast on to Cogdill, 

 notwithstanding his struggles and the menaces 

 of his companion. I had brought with me an 

 old sword, which I had purchased from old 

 Dick, he having been formerly a soldier, and 

 now in receipt of a pension. He seemed to 

 lose all his presence of mind ; but as he was a 

 man, and as I had my hands full with the 

 gun — which was of course loaded — I called 

 to him to take the sword, and then, as I was 

 Tianding it over, the stupid old idiot allowed 

 Widdie Dell to snatch it away. At this moment 

 Cogdill began to shout : '* Are you going to 



let me up? Let me up, you . I'm 



•choking." In truth, my father was not a light- 

 lianded man, nor remarkable for gentleness. 



"I'll let you up if ye y give your name," 

 said he. 



'* James Barnes," in a hoarse gurgle. 



