SIR FEANCIS BURDETT'S HUNTERS. 53 



"Their craft has certainly proved superior to 

 my art," Mr. Meyrick good-humouredly remarked, 

 " and I rejoice to find my young friends came so 

 opportunely to yom^ ladyship's assistance, although 

 I believe those trout were not caught with a rod 

 and line." 



" It matters little how caught," interposed Lord 



E , " since I never tasted any of finer flavour 



or in better condition ; they are nearly as pink as 

 salmon." 



" Quite my opinion," added Sir Francis ; " and 

 I say, boys," in a low tone to us, "you may play 

 at the same game to-morrow ; but M. must not 

 know the secret, or he will be talking of foul play, 

 and spoiling legitimate sport." 



It was not our intention to enlighten our worthy 

 tutor on the means employed to capture the fish, 

 as such knowledge would have materially interfered 

 with our future progress in these unclassical pur- 

 suits ; but the fact was, we were at that period 

 two as arrant young poachers as could be found 

 in the British Isles, plying our trade by day and 

 night, as opportunity occurred. 



Sir Francis was a bold and hard rider, going at 

 everything which came in his line, and he gave 

 long prices for his hunters. One, I remember, 

 called Sampson, cost him five hundred guineas, fi 



