EARLY RECOLLECTIONS. 19 



testify as to the absolute truth of everything I 

 relate in this book. As a boy and man I was 

 wholly devoid of fear in all matters relating to 

 my vocation ; as shooting, trapping, watching, 

 and catching poachers : the excitement of my 

 work seemed to leave no room for fear, and I 

 would handle the most savage dog, or the most 

 dangerous poacher, without a moment's hesita- 

 tion. But I don't like horses; I am not at 

 home with them, and I would sooner walk ten 

 miles than get on a horse' s back. With anything 

 else I am all right directly I get to close 

 quarters ; what would unnerve most men just 

 brings me up to the scratch. For instance, 

 with a lion or tiger, I should feel nervous whilst 

 it was some way off, but, when I got close, I 

 should think of nothing but killing him ; the 

 possibility of his killing me would not enter into 

 my calculations at all. The same with poachers. 

 On a dark night, in a lonely wood, looking 

 forward to an encounter with desperate 

 men, many of the bravest of us are nervous ; 

 but such a situation, somehow, always brings 

 my courage up to the sticking point. I have 



