MONK S CONVERSION. 347 



at the same time giving him half-a-crown. 

 " Just keep yourself straight, and Wilkins will 

 give you a rabbit now and then, and I'll give 

 you five shillings for a Christmas box, when 

 the time comes round/' 



" Good morning, sir, and thank you kindly," 

 said Monk, touching his cap as the Squire 

 turned on his heel and left us. 



Now Monk was a very determined man, 

 and had been a most resolute poacher, and 

 recognized as a leader for several villages 

 round about, so the reader will understand 

 that I wished to temporize with him. I would 

 sooner have made sure of him than a dozen 

 of the others ; it was not a question of fear 

 on my part, only a bit of generalship, or 

 rather " keepership." I invariably treated all 

 poachers with tact and kindness, and always 

 found it pay best in the long run. 



" What can I do for you, Monk ?" I asked, 

 when we were left alone together. 



" Well, said he," " I am going into the hay 

 country, and I want a new scythe and a few 

 shillings to take with me to get grub with, 



