THE HILL POACHER. 341 



constantly herding and drinking together, they corrupt 

 each other more 5 and, by living in continual apprehension, 

 and determining to brave the worst, they learn to set 

 no value on human life, especially that of a gamekeeper. 



Scotch poachers may be divided into Highland and 

 Lowland. The latter class more nearly approximate to 

 their brethren in England, especially those in the neigh- 

 bourhood of large towns ; viz., poach in company, have 

 no pleasure in the sport, and care only for the profit. The 

 deer on the islands of Loch Lomond were sometimes 

 killed by printers from the Leven works, who, coming 

 in boats, took their booty away with them to sell to the 

 Glasgow poulterers. The foresters had not unfrequently 

 to fire on the boats to keep them off. On one occasion, a 

 party effected a landing upon the Duke of Montrose's deer 

 island, and, having slain one animal and wounded another, 

 were surprised by the forester and his friends. They all, 

 except one, managed to get back to their boat, leaving the 

 deer behind. - When the unfortunate printer saw his 

 friends row off, he managed to hide himself, and could not 

 be discovered. The forester (a gallant Graeme) took 

 measures to prevent his escape by immediately securing his 

 own boat, and shotting his rifles. A perfect hurricane of 

 wind most opportunely set in for several days, and pre- 

 vented the gang, without imminent risk of life, from 

 returning at night. During the day, the forester took his 

 station on a point that commanded a view of the whole 

 island, and, when a .boat's crew appeared, ran down to 

 meet them. The printers often attempted to land, but, 



