Old Bex. 129 



One morning I was taking a constitutional, 

 and as I wanted to see Ben about some small 

 matter, I took a walk up to his house, which 

 overlooked the winding stream I have alluded 

 to. The first thing I saw on entering the 

 wicket leading up to the house was a couple of 

 good fat pigs in the sty. Hullo, thought I, 

 there is no want or misery here ! On looking 

 into the cottage, everything was as clean and 

 neat as a new pin. Again, thought I, that does 

 not look like a poacher's home anyhow. But 

 on looking in at the open door I also caught 

 sight of Ben, who had also instantly seen me. 

 He jumped up at once, and was reaching some- 

 thing down from over the mantel-piece ; when 

 I had got in he had it behind him, but I was 

 too quick for him. " Hullo ! " said I, " what 

 are you hiding that gun behind you for ? Let 

 me look at it.'' He hesitated a moment and 

 looked guilty, and then held it out. It was my 

 long-lost gun ; I had recognized it at a glance. 

 " How did you come by this, Mr. Benjamin ? " 



" Well, 'tis no use telling any lies about it ; 

 'twas your gun, sir, and I got it some few years 

 ago from your uncle. Dr. J ." 



Well, I arrived at the gist of the matter in a 



