THE GAMEKEEPER AND HIS GOLGOTHA. 93 



that he was not contemporary with the Wolf, 

 the Wild Boar, and the Bear. Of these in 

 Britain he has read an account, as well as of 

 the vast primitive forests through which they 

 roamed. 



Just without the darkened shadow of the 

 pine-wood is a sunny glade. The rides of the 

 forest converge upon it, and here centres much 

 of the life of the district. Delicious it is to 

 lounge there on a long summer day, lying 

 under the cool shadow of the shrubs. This 

 have we often done with the Keeper, our em- 

 ployment being to watch the young pheasants 

 among the scrub and brown uncurling brackens. 



So long as the Gamekeeper can keep the 

 young pheasants under his eye they are com- 

 paratively safe, but just now they are apt to 

 wander ; and when once they begin to do this 

 there is no retaining them. Although fed daily 

 with the daintiest food, the birds, singly or in 

 pairs, may frequently be seen far from the 

 home covers. Both man and nature's poachers 

 know this, and are quick to use their know- 

 ledge. It by no means follows that the man 

 who rears the pheasants will have the privilege 

 of shooting them. At this season the birds 



