The Hunting Year 



with the name of Mr Robert Hardness, the 

 oldest keeper present. But before that worthy 

 gentleman rises to respond, the Chairman calls 

 upon one of the company by name to sing a 

 song. This, with some diffidence, the gentle- 

 man named proceeds to do. Ah, those old 

 songs, how I wish I had kept some record of 

 them. This was a fine old ditty about a ser- 

 vant maid who left her place, and who was way- 

 laid by a robber, whom she killed by toppling 

 her box — which she carried on her head, by the 

 way — on to his. Then the song goes on to 

 say: — 



11 She put her box upon her head and carried it along 

 And the next that she met was a noble gentleman 

 Said he : ' My pretty, fair maid, where are you going so 

 late, 

 And what was the noise I heard at yonder gate? ' " 



The young lady told her adventures, and the 

 denouement was dramatic — not to say melo- 

 dramatic. 



" She took him by the hand and she led him to the place 

 Where this young and able fellow lay bleeding on his 



face. 

 They looked into his pockets for to see what he had got 

 And there they found three pistols, some powder and 



some shot, 

 They found three pistols, some powder and some ball, 

 And a little silver whistle more robbers for to call. 

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