bragg's perplexity. 227 



head keeper in hot haste akeady arrived, to know 

 his master's pleasure in reference to these unwel- 

 come visitors. 



"What's to be done with them, your honour?" 

 inquired Killfox. 



" Shoot every dog instantly !" 



" What, sir ?" asked the keeper in amazement, 

 " shoot Squire Trueman's harriers ? Why, sir, we 

 should never hear the last of it — it maun't be 

 done." 



"But I say," replied the great man, waxing 

 hot with wrath, " it shall be done — shoot them, 

 sir — kill them — or I'll discharge you this mo- 

 ment." 



" Very well, your honour," said Killfox (not re- 

 lishing the idea of losing a capital situation), 

 " your orders shall be obeyed ; only, begging your 

 honour's pardon, I am a married man, with five 

 small children, and can't afford to stand no law 

 costs." 



"That's my concern, sir," retorted the master, 

 " hang the law costs I" 



Exit Killfox, — who in ten minutes afterwards, 

 assisted by the under-keeper, commenced a battue 

 on the devoted harriers. Meanwhile, Squire True- 

 man, anticipating the denouement of his plot, had 

 taken a little circuit round the country, until he 



