The Sport of Our (Ancestors 



sure himself how far a huntsman's acquaintance in that Hne 

 might go, and being also too much impressed by the occasion 

 for speculative conversation. 



* It 's that scoundrel Goarly ' had been repeated again 

 and again ; and then on a sudden Goarly himself was seen 

 standing on the further hedge of Larry's field with a gun 

 in his hand. He was not at this time above two hundred 

 yards from them, and was declared by one of the young 

 farmers to be grinning with delight. The next field was 

 Goarly's, but the hedge and ditch belonged to Twentyman. 

 Larry rushed forward as though determined to thrash the 

 man, and two or three followed him. But Lord Rufford 

 galloped on and stopped them. ' Don't get into a row with 

 a fellow like that,' he said to Twentyman. 



* He 's on my land, my lord,' said Larry impatiently. 



* I 'm on my own now, and let me see who '11 dare to 

 touch me,' said Goarly jumping down. 



' You 've put poison down in that wood,' said Larry. 



' No, I didn't ; — but I knows who did. It ain't I as 

 am afeard for my young turkeys.' Now it was well known 

 that old Mrs. Twentyman, Larry's mother, was fond of 

 young turkeys, and that her poultry-yard had suffered. 

 Larry, in his determination to be a gentleman, had always 

 laughed at his mother's losses. But now to be accused in 

 this way was terrible to his feelings ! He made a rush as 

 though to jump over the hedge, but Lord Rufford again 

 intercepted him. ' I didn't think, Mr. Twentyman, that 

 you 'd care for what such a fellow as that might say.' By 

 262 



