TIPS AND TIPPERS 267 



a commoner. On more than one occasion I made 

 objection to the taking of a tip which I thought 

 the giver could not well afford. 



Probably I lost many a tip because I did not run 

 after it, so to speak. This is the keeper's position : 

 The last shot has been fired ; the day is done. 

 Some of the beaters, laden with game, trudge home- 

 ward, or to the game-cart ; others hurry to the 

 ' house ' with cartridge - bags, their hurry being 

 more in expectation of a shilling or two than for 

 fear that the bag should be left behind. But the 

 keeper, just now, is busy with the game, checking 

 it, and trying to lessen the confusion which everyone 

 else appears to be doing his best to increase. Should 

 the keeper leave his responsible duties, and sidle 

 his way to the sportsmen, with some excuse as to 

 whether Mr. So-and-so's gun is to be packed for 

 an evening train, or where are to be deposited the 

 hare and brace of birds for somebody else ? often 

 most unnecessary inquiries, but apt to sound like 

 hints for a tip. Or should he keep himself in the 

 background, risk a scramble later on for gun-cases 

 and game, and allow chances of tips to vanish ? 

 For there are sportsmen who think mainly of their 

 own pleasure and comfort, though not unmindful of 

 the keeper whilst he is before them. They are not 

 necessarily mean men, grudging or unwilling, but 

 forgetful. 



To secure a tip, some keepers use every artifice 



