ENGLISH VAGABONDS. 193- 



redemption for this ; " I would simply transport them to the 

 wilds of America, where they could enjoy their sport with- 

 out injury to any one, and we might carry on a trade of 

 furs and skins with such free trappers. 



Deer-poaching is carried on in two distinct methods. In 

 the one case, by a man who belongs more or less to the 

 spot, and who hovers about the moors, watching the keepers^ 

 and seizing his opportunity; and in the other, by gangs of 

 marauders who go from forest to forest, as the wind serves, 

 and act in concert. These latter men take possession of 

 some deserted bothy, or even of the shooting-lodges, if they 

 are left unoccupied. There was a bothy on TarfT side so 

 frequented by them, that it was thought necessary to pull 

 it down altogether. These poachers commence their opera- 

 tions chiefly at the termination of the regular season, so 

 that the harts are entirely rank and useless. The yeld 

 hinds, however, come in at that period, and are very fine 

 venison ; aud all the other hinds make the best possible 

 soup, and are very good hill-man's eating, though they are 

 totally devoid of fat. 



Such poachers as go about in gangs are rough, pictur- 

 esque-looking fellows, able to face any weather : aud they 

 act, as I have said, in concert. Being a stronger force, they 

 can remove the deer which they kill, without much incon- 

 venience, and can readily dispose of it in the country. 

 During the time of their depredations, they subsist upon 

 what is not saleable ; and with this> aud their whiskey and 

 tobacco, they must pass a very pleasant wauderiug life. It 

 is extremely difficult for keepers to apprehend these foragers, 

 as all of them have glasses, and cannot easily be surpi-ised 

 in the open country. The best way is to attack the bothy 

 by night, and a fine animating scene it would be. I do not 

 think that the men would endeavour to save themselves by 

 the commission of murder. They have still a high rever- 

 ence for their chieftains, which would restrain them from 

 committing bloody excesses upon their lawful agents. In 

 the Highlands, one never hears of such ruffians as infest 

 the preserves in England ; men who screw up their courage 

 at the beer-houses, asserting with imprecations that they 

 will shoot any keeper rather than be taken. A vicious set 



