140 
THE RAT. 
that they make the best of gamekeepers and the worst of 
poachers. And it is a matter of greater question, whether 
any man is fully qualified for a gamekeeper till he is well 
skilled in the arfc of ratcatching ; for if a full investigation 
were instituted, I believe, from their numbers and powers 
of increase, that rats or sermulots would prove to be the 
greatest enemies keepers have to contend with. 
" Whistling Joe," at one period of his life, was employed 
as a gamekeeper, and, so far as daring and experience went, he 
was, doubtless, quite equal to his situation. But, at the same 
time, he had an unqualified notion of freedom and indepen- 
dence, and, like most uneducated men, he thought the only 
way he had of showing it was to insult those above him. 
Consequently, in one of these ignorant fits, he gave serious 
ofience to his master, who, after paying him his wages, at 
once dismissed him from his service. 
" I suppose, then, you mean it," said Joe. "I do," replied 
the gentleman. " Oh, very well," returned ! Joe ; " but of 
course you don't expect any shooting next season." Then 
turning upon his heel, he left the house whistling. 
The gentleman of course saw something very ominous in 
th^ remark ; and, in despite of every precaution, he soon 
found it sensibly verified in the daily disappearance of his 
game ; therefore, to save the remainder, he sent a polite 
invitation to Joe, which ended in his being reinstated, on 
the express condition that, for the future, he should treat 
his master with common civility. 
Some years since the papers gave an account of one of 
Joe's drunken exploits. A man who bore Joe a deadly 
hatred for sundry lumps and bumps which he had received 
at his hands, happened to come into a public-house where 
Joe was drinking. He had with him a dog, to which Joe 
took a great fancy, and, forgetting all animosity, he wished 
to know what he should give him for it. The man was 
morose and sullen ; but J oe would have no denial, and 
insisted upon his drinking with him. After drinking to- 
gether for some time, they began to barter about the dog, 
when J oe ofiered him a guinea for it. Yes," said the vin- 
dictive owner, ^' you shall have it for a guinea, if you will let 
me have a fire at you with a bullet at a hundred yards ;" 
at the same time pointing at Joe's gun that was reared in 
