MY FIRST AFFRAY WITH POACHERS. 25 



old Dick that we were in the wrong company 

 to get civility. My father had put down his 

 gun in order to collar the two men, and this I 

 now took up. 



u I know you, Widdie Dell," said my father, 

 as he let him go, holding fast on to Cogdill, 

 notwithstanding his struggles and the menaces 

 of his companion. I had brought with me an 

 old sword, which I had purchased from old 

 Dick, he having been formerly a soldier, and 

 now in receipt of a pension. He seemed to 

 lose all his presence of mind ; but as he was a 

 man, and as I had my hands full with the 

 gun which was of course loaded I called 

 to him to take the sword, and then, as I was 

 handing it over, the stupid old idiot allowed 

 Widdie Dell to snatch it away. At this moment 

 Cogdill began to shout : " Are you going to 



let me up? Let me up, you . I'm 



choking." In truth, my father was not a light- 

 handed man, nor remarkable for gentleness. 



" I'll let you up if you give your name," 

 said he. 



" James Barnes," in a hoarse gurgle. 



