ROOKS THAT WOULDN'T QUIT 47 



when the Squire appeared on the spot. The wayward 

 rooks might be seen flitting here and there at a respectful 

 distance, and their hoarse cawing still heard as if in 

 defiance of their enemies. By the walk and manner 

 of my companion, I could plainly perceive that a storm 

 was brewing, and about to burst over the head of his 

 devoted servant. Calling him by name, the man quickly 

 approached, with all due humility, hat in hand, before 

 his imperious master. 



Squire, loquitur. — " I thought I told you to dislodge 

 those rooks immediately." 



Servant. — " Yes, sir, I know you did, and I have been 

 shooting at them, sir, day and night, almost, sir, ever 

 since you gave the orders, sir ; but they won't leave 

 the place, sir." 



Squire. — " Then you shall, sir, if in two days from 

 this time there is another rook to be seen in these trees," 



Servant. — " May I beg then the favour, sir, of your 

 allowing me some more help, as I have already slept 

 under the trees these three nights ? " 



Squire. — " You may have half the village, if you want 

 their assistance ; but don't let me find both the rooks 

 and you here when I come again." 



Some six or seven years afterwards, when the rooks 

 had long found another home, and all the arrangements 

 then in contemplation had been carried out to their 

 fullest extent, affording an incontestable proof of what 

 wealth could accomplish when directed by the skill and 

 taste of an English Gentleman, I was again on my road 

 to Tedworth, with another famous Master of Fox-hounds, 

 the well-known WiUiam Codrington, who at that time 

 hunted the country adjoining Mr. Smith's, now called 

 the South Wiltshire. Having dined and slept the previous 



