248 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



" Good-bye, Wilkins." " Good-bye, old friend." 

 I find I have made a mistake about the two 

 Newmans and Curtis ; they were sentenced to 

 seven years apiece, and were let out after 

 serving four only. 



Joslin was reckoned the strongest man in 

 Stanstead, and, before this poaching job, no 

 one dared give him back an angry word. He 

 stood six feet high, and was broad in propor- 

 tion ; I've seen him take an ass by the mane 

 and tail and lift him about as easily as if it 

 were a little dog. 



One day he was going along the road to 

 Stortford, mounted on his own donkey, which 

 was a good-sized animal, when he came to the 

 turnpike gate just past Zion. House. He 

 asked the pikeman how much would be 

 charged for his donkey to walkthrough. "Two- 

 pence," was the reply. " And how much do 

 you charge for carrying a parcel through 

 the gate ? " " Nothing," says the pikeman. 

 " Whoa, ass, whoa," cries Joslin, and, quietly 

 dismounting, he deliberately slips his head 

 under the animal's belly, and seizing his fore 



