366 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



about right.' There is no necessity for a 

 pohceman to stand between you and the 

 poacher, as is often the case. How is it there's 

 no ill-feehng between you and the poacher, it's 

 a puzzle to the Bench ; how is it ? " 



"Well, you see, sir, it's because I am civil 

 to them." 



" Not very civil, according to all accounts, 

 if they come any of their nonsense, Wilkins." 



" Quite true, sir, but after I have taken the 

 hare, or snare, or gun away from them, and 

 shot their dog, it's all over. They see that, if 

 they refuse to let me have anything I ask for, 

 they will very soon go heels upwards." 



" Yes, yes, Wilkins, but there must be 

 something more than that ; what is it ? " 



"Well, sir, it is being kind to them, and 

 not over stretching the case before the Bench." 



He nodded his head, and asked me no more 

 questions on the subject. 



I once caught a farm labourer, who was not 

 a regular poacher, snaring ; he begged of me 

 to let him off, vowing that he would never set 

 another snare. He said that his wife was 



