286 ON SURREY HILLS. 



Then what was termed, in our district, the Leather 

 Brigade turned out, fully equipped for action, wearing 

 stout hob-nailed shoes, iron-tipped, at toe and heel, 

 and leather gaiters reaching up to the thigh. On 

 their hands were hedging, gauntleted gloves. To all 

 appearance the brigade consisted only of four or five 

 stalwart young rustics out for a walk. I confess that 

 I have made one of the party more than ortce, and 

 have repeatedly watched their tactics. The title, 

 Leather Brigade, was bestowed on these young men 

 by the woodland neighbours, who were not deficient 

 in a hearty sense of humour. The brigade went to 

 work by starting in Indian file, and in silence, looking 

 keenly to right and left for any trace of fur or feather. 

 Had the creatures kept to their own well-watched 

 preserves, it would have been better for them ; or if 

 they could have gone out without leaving tracks be- 

 hind them ; for clever as wild creatures are in baffling 

 their natural enemies, to these practised rangers they 

 were plainly visible. Presently one would point with 

 his finger, and the leader would look. "In or out?" 

 would be whispered ; and then round some small 

 clump of tangle a circle would be formed, the rabbit 

 visible in the centre of it, his head drawn into his 



