My First of September. 69 



him, he fell cheerfully into my views. I 

 thought that if he was away with me, any- 

 body who had been in the habit of taking 

 a sly cut in over my ground would take 

 adv^antage of his absence ; and I had accord- 

 ingly sent for old Ben — a cunning old fellow, 

 and a capital marker, who my old naval 

 friend used to take out with him. Old Ben 

 was the father of the young gentleman whom 

 I introduced in the first chapter, and up to 

 every move on the board. 



*' Isaac," said I, " do you think your little 

 terrier would follow me ? " 



" No, sir, I'm sure she wouldn't ; but if you 

 take her in a string she won't leave you after 

 the first shot is fired." 



"Well," I said, " bring her up with you in 

 the morning, and call me at five o'clock." 

 (Dear me ! was it likely I should want any 

 calling ?) 



Having over-night placed gun, boots, gaiters, 

 powder-horn, shot-belt (I believe it was reahy a 

 belt carrying about three pounds), caps, and 

 whistle all carefully laid out in my bed-room, 

 so that there should be no hurry or liunting 

 for anything in the morning, I retired ; but 



