52 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



other roads from Chesham to Hyde Heath 

 Common, near by my father's house. They 

 usually came up the Half Way House Lane, so 

 called because it was half way between Ches- 

 ham and Hyde Heath, near the Devil's Den. 

 This lane parted the manor of Mr. Fuller from 

 that of Squire Lowndes, and Coppeyson's Lane 

 parted Mr. Fuller's property from Squire 

 Drake's estate ; but the poachers did not like 

 this way so well as that which led to Monk's 

 Wood, because they had to pass right by 

 father's house, and that they particularly 

 objected to. I begged my father to let me 

 keep to my own favorite wood, and asked him 

 why he changed me. " Are you not satisfied 

 with me, father?" I said. " Oh, yes, Jack ; 

 it's not that." " Then why change my beat?" 

 "Well, Jack, "he answered, quite feelingly, "you 

 are too venturesome with poachers, and I am 

 afraid that they will harm you ; I often tremble 

 for your life. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if you 

 were killed some fine day." I had always thought 

 my father a hard and stern man, with but little 

 love for me, but knew better from that time. 



