296 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



sack and brought to the gentleman, to whom he 

 related where he had found them, etc. The head- 

 keeper was sent for that night, and when he came 

 into the room — called the justice-room, this gentle- 

 man being a magistrate — he commenced by express- 

 ing his suspicion that some unfair play had been 

 going on with the foxes in the cover before 

 described. The reply was, " That if there had been 

 foul play, it was unknown to him ; for he would 

 not allow such a shameful thing on any account, 

 and that he had taken every care possible of them." 

 The gentleman then said, "I do not beUeve 

 you ; for I am sure you must have destroyed 

 them." His reply was, " What ! me, sir ! I'll take 

 my oath I have not kiUed them." — " Do you mean 

 that ? " said the gentleman. " Yes ! " said the man. 

 " Then take the book," holding out the usual Bible 

 for that purpose to try him. He took the book in 

 his hand, when the gentleman said, " Hold hard ! 

 my friend " ; and rang the bell, when in walked 

 the footman with the two young foxes, as before 

 arranged. On seeing which, after a little confusion, 

 and being asked whether he had ever seen them 

 before, he said, "Well, then, I did do it, and I 

 could not help it ; for it would be unnatural in me 

 not to kill what I was brought up to do." A 



