MONK S CONVERSION. 347 



at the same time giving him half-a-crown. 

 "Just keep yourself straight, and Wilkins will 

 give you a rabbit now and then, and I'll give 

 you five shillings for a Christmas box, when 

 the time comes round." 



"Good morning, sir, and thank you kindly," 

 said Monk, touching his cap as the Squire 

 turned on his heel and left us. 



Now Monk was a very determined man, 

 and had been a most resolute poacher, and 

 recognized as a leader for several villages 

 round about, so the reader will understand 

 that I wished to temporize with him. I would 

 sooner have made sure of him than a dozen 

 of the others ; it was not a question of fear 

 on my part, only a bit of generalship, or 

 rather " keepership." I invariably treated all 

 poachers with tact and kindness, and always 

 found it pay best in the long run. 



" What can I do for you. Monk ?" I asked, 

 when we were left alone together. 



"Well, said he," " I am going into the hay 

 country, and I want a new scythe and a few 

 shillings to take with me to get grub with, 



