ODD MONEYS. 21 



rook -shooting party in the spring from the great house, 

 with their rook -rifles and sometimes crossbows, have had 

 the pick of the young birds, some few of the tenants are 



M 



admitted to shoot the remainder — a task that spreads 

 perhaps over two or even three days, and there is a good 

 deal of liquor and silver going about. Then gentlemen 

 come to fish in the mere, having got the necessary per- 

 mission, and they want bait and some attention, which the 

 keeper's lad, being an adept himself, can render better than 

 any one else ; and so he too gets his share. Besides 

 which, being swift of foot, and with a shrewd idea which 

 way the fox will run when the hunt is up, he is to the 

 fore when a lady or some timid gentleman wants a gate 

 opened — a service not performed in vain. For breaking- 

 in dogs also the keeper is often paid well ; and, in short, 

 he is one of those fortunate individuals whom all the 

 world tips. 



