LIVES OF LABOUR 277 



the head keeper, during the absence of an assistant, 

 had employed the shepherd to watch, and had dosed 



him with half a gallon of beer to keep the 



What cold out before sending him off on duty. The 



terds k eer and the night air were not without 



enjoy effect ; and when presently a human form 



came stealthily along in the shadow of a moon- 

 lit ride, the shepherd was in grand fighting trim and 

 spirit. He waited his chance, then sprang like a lion 

 on the intruder, gripped his throat, bore him to the 

 earth, and belaboured him in hearty fashion. He was 

 about to tie him hand and foot when he saw that he was 

 tackling his own master from the mansion, who, having 

 been dining with a neighbour, had chosen to walk 

 home by way of his woods. So impressed was the 

 master with the shepherd's valour on behalf of his 

 pheasants that he gave him a sovereign, and retained 

 him on the night staff at five shillings a night and half 

 a gallon of beer. 



Like most country workers, shepherds and game- 

 keepers may go through a long life of labour without 



ever taking a holiday, possibly without 

 Lives thinking of one. We hear of eight-hour 

 Labour days for factory workers and discussions 



of an ideal work-day of six or even of four 

 hours ; but seldom a word is spoken for those country 

 labourers, the length of whose toil is limited only by 

 daylight when it is not carried on as a matter of 



