364 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



down the poacher, if they do not let him off 

 altogether ; thus, you not only lose your case, 

 but also give the magistrates a bad impression 

 of your veracity, whilst you gain the ill-will of 

 the poacher, who sees that you are treating 

 him unfairly. I have frequently heard the 

 poacher say to the keeper: "You tried to 

 send me to the devil, but the magistrates saw 

 right through you." 



I have seen the policeman standing between 

 the keeper and the poacher, when the former 

 has been giving evidence, to prevent the 

 prisoner from striking the witness for swearing 

 to a lie ; in some cases I have seen two or 

 three policemen between them. You need not 

 say all you saw and heard, if you are not 

 questioned closely ; of course, if you are asked 

 you must answer, for you are sworn to speak 

 the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but 

 the truth ; but remember that the man in the 

 dock is watching you, and knows whether you 

 are swearing to the truth or not. 



Some years ago I was prosecutor in a poach- 

 ing case ; the man pleaded guilty, and was 



