40 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



never did, so I thought the matter out, and 

 reasoned in this way : — " I try and do all I can 

 to please you, and all I get in return is constant 

 grumbling; if I do nothing for you, I can't get 

 worse,'' So, as I had no peace, I resolved to 

 declare war. It began in this way : he ordered 

 me to take six dozen snares, go up a furrow in 

 the wheat field stubble, and set every run that 

 crossed the furrow. He had been growling at 

 me, previously, and saw, I suppose, that my 

 temper was soured ; so he said, after he had 

 given me my orders : — " I'll come and see that 

 you set them well." I set them like clockwork, 

 so that nothing could pass down the runs with- 

 out being caught, and he came and inspected 

 them when they were set. He told me next 

 morning, to go and look at my snares, and, 

 when I came home, after doing so, my mother 

 said I was to go up to father's bedroom. Up I 

 went, and found him in bed. " Well, sir," says 

 he, " What have you caught ? a dozen or more, 

 I suppose." '• Nothing,'' I answered, shortly. 

 ' ' Nothing ? ' ' echoes he, starting up. * ' Nothing, 

 you tell me ; there is nothing caught in your 



