THE GAMEKEEPER AND HIS GOLGOTHA. 89 



Herons stalk the pools, and the Otter traces the 

 mountain burns to their source. At noon a 

 Sparrow-hawk speeds by the covert, and at 

 evening a Kestrel hangs over the rick-yard. In 

 the afternoon, regularly, Weasels run along the 

 old wall ; and, as these things, the flowers in 

 their times of opening aud closing are not less 

 constant. 



The Keeper's domain encloses a park in which 

 are Red Deer and Fallow. Sometimes he has to 

 shoot a fawn for the " great house." This he 

 singles out, hitting it if possible just behind the 

 shoulder. In season he must provide a certain 

 " head " of game. Twice weekly he procures 

 this, and takes it to the Hall. For its proper 

 hanging in the larder he is responsible. When 

 he wants game, he knows to a yard where it 

 may be found — where the birds will get up, 

 in what direction they will go away. If a 

 Hare, he knows the gate or smoot through 

 which she will pass, and out of this latter fact 

 he makes capital. It is well known to poachers 

 and others that when once a hare has been 

 netted there is no chance of its being retaken 

 in like manner. Rather than go through this 

 a second time, even though a lurcher be but 



