176 THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



done with the aid of the district policeman, for they are 

 not only the places where much of the game is sold, but 

 the rendezvous of those who are planning a raid. 



If the policeman notices an unusual stir, or the arrival 

 of strange men without any apparent business, he acquaints 

 the keeper, who then takes care to double his sentinels, 

 and personally visit them during the night. This night- 

 work is very trying after his long walks by day. A great 

 object is to be about early in the morning just before the 

 dawn ; that is the time when the poachers return to exa- 

 mine their wires. By day he often varies his rounds so as 

 to appear upon the scene when least expected ; and has 

 regular trysting places, where his assistants meet him with 

 their reports. 



The gipsies, who travel the road in caravans, give him 

 endless trouble ; they are adepts at poaching, and each 

 van is usually accompanied by a couple of dogs. The 

 movements of these people are so irregular that it is im- 

 possible to be always ready for them. They are suspected 

 of being recipients of poached game, purchasing it from 

 the local professionals. Under pretence of cutting skewer- 

 wood, often called dogwood, which they split and sharpen 

 for the butchers, they wander across the open downs 

 where it grows, camping in wild, unfrequented places, and 

 finding plenty of opportunities for poaching. Down land 

 is most difficult to watch. 



Then the men who come out from the towns, ostensibly 



