340 THE HILL POACHER. 



smoking them by means of brimstone, are so great, that 

 the poachers traffic with the game-shops to an enormous 

 extent. 



To be a good shot, or understand anything of sporting, 

 is not of much consequence to the English poacher, his 

 method of securing game being a good deal like robbing a 

 hen-roost or rabbit-warren. These men generally poach in 

 company, the numbers being regulated by the party of 

 watchers they expect on the out-look. The gang, often 

 half-drunk, sally forth from some low beer-shop whenever 

 the night is clear and starry. If there are many hares or 

 rabbits in the preserve, they take some mute curs to drive 

 them about, after having set the snares. The fowling- 

 piece, though always carried, in case of an encounter, is 

 seldom used upon game ; except, perhaps, with a quarter 

 of a charge, to knock down pheasants at roost, within 

 pistol-shot. This makes little noise, but, of course, they 

 prefer making none. It is well known, when they do 

 resort to this method, that, by beginning at the lowest 

 bough, they may nearly clear the tree. But, should they 

 stupidly shoot the top bird first, the others are very apt to 

 fly off when it comes rustling past them. They have 

 various other methods of quietly destroying game, some of 

 which are practised even in broad daylight. It is seldom, 

 however, that love of sport can be urged in their defence, 

 as these depredations are exactly akin to gipsy thefts, 

 and have little of the excitement caused by love of 

 hunting, so natural to man. It is easy to see that none 

 but desperate characters would engage in such a life. By 



