348 THE HILL POACHER. 



poachers, be their pluck ever so good, have no wish to 

 engage in more serious offences, and, as long as the gene- 

 rality of our moors are in the neglected state they are at 

 present, have ample opportunity of making a profitable 

 thing of it without much risk. Whenever a gentleman 

 sets about protecting in good earnest, they for the most 

 part leave his estate for that of his more careless neighbour. 



To hunt a steady dog with a lantern tied round its neck 

 is a most deadly way of night-netting, and the more so, as 

 dark and rough weather are no obstacles to success. 

 When the light points, two men come round with the net 

 in front, and draw it over the dog, frequently securing a 

 whole covey of partridges huddled together within a few 

 inches of his nose. Fortunately, however, this wholesale 

 destruction can only take place where the keepers are most 

 supine. When they are alert, it would be next to impos- 

 sible for poachers to hunt many fields and not be betrayed 

 by this ignis fatuus ; and when once the dodging lantern 

 is seen, no marauders could be more easily captured. 

 Neither hares nor pheasants are in any danger from this 

 mode of netting, as the former always move about at night, 

 and the latter roost in trees. 



As to snaring, which is oftener practised either at night 

 or during divine service, every trained keeper, by looking 

 the runs both in the fields and fences, will easily know 

 whether snares have been fixed in them. He then comes 

 quietly at the time when he thinks they will be set, puts a 

 rabbit or hare into one of them, and places a watch. 

 Many people fancy this method of taking game the most 



