206 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



knew it was quite true because he bought them 

 himself for four bob and two pots of beer. He 

 could, if he had chosen, have brought the hares 

 up from the cellar and shown them to you. 

 Did he also tell you that Tom Darvell stopped 

 at his house all day and spent two shillings out 

 of the four ? No ! Well, anyhow, you are 

 deeply impressed with the news, and turn to 

 go, determined to keep an eye on Tom in the 

 future. 



Mine Host takes you aside. " Don't be in a 

 hurry, keeper," says he. " I want to have a 

 little talk to you before you go, I have a lot 

 more to tell you yet ; have another glass, old 

 friend, there'll be nothing going on before the 

 publics are closed. You will most likely drop 

 on to some of the rascals as you are going 

 home, but it's no use yet, for they have not left 

 the ' pubs ;' eleven or twelve is their time you 

 know, keeper, when they think all is quiet. 

 Look here, can't you manage to get us a 

 day's rabbit shooting next week, just myself 

 and a few respectable friends that will be 

 .a credit to you and my house. The Squire's 



