WHISTLING JOE. 
139 
sion has been entertained that he deals in supernatural 
agency for the purpose of charming the sermulots from their 
hiding-places ; and thus it is that he is looked upon with 
an eye of fear and suspicion by those who are simple enough 
to believe in such nonsense. By habit and custom he is very 
distant and retired in his manners, and seldom answers an 
inquisitive question with anything more than " yes " or 
" no that is, if he answers at all. But, if you expect 
him to tell the truth, you may find yourself most wofuUy 
mistaken, as he always keeps a rigid guard upon his tongue 
for the preservation of his secrets. As for Joe, it appears, 
he always answered every prying question by whistling a 
stave or two of " Walker, the Twopenny Postman," or any 
other popular tune ; and hence his name of " Whistling 
Joe the Batcatcher." 
Drunk or sober, let no man molest one of these worthies. 
If he does, let him look out for the dogs ; for, upon the 
least incitement, some three or four, or half a dozen, of them 
will bury their fangs in his legs, and thus avenge the insult 
offered to their master. Thus — asleep or awake — by night 
or by day — at home or abroad — does he live in unchequered 
security through the affection of his rough-muzzled equi- 
page ; the fidelity of which, few are found foolhardy enough 
to dispute, or put to a practical test. Nor does the first 
peer of the realm lay himself down with more conscious 
security than does the sermulot-hunter beneath a hedge on 
a sultry summer's day. Yet, without an exception, all 
that I have met with seem to labour under an impression 
that they live, not as it were by sufferance, or common con- 
sent, but in spite and open defiance. Hence their quiet- 
revengeful disposition ; for, like gipsies, Jews, and brigands, 
they never forget an injury till it is fully avenged, though 
it may be for years to come. Thus it is that they 
have fallen into almost universal disrepute, which has 
tended much to the diminution of their numbers ; for 
farmers unfortunately seem to think, with Hamlet, that it is 
better to *^bear the ills they have than fly to others that they 
know not of" Thus, for years past, numbers have refused to 
employ them, while others pay them so insufficiently that 
the profession now is scarce worth following, and several 
have left it for other occupations. But it is a well-known fact 
