The Poacher | Page 8

the combat was short, for the pheasant
was soon pierced by the sharp steel of his adversary; and as one
antagonist fell dead, again would the game-cock crow, and his
challenge be accepted by another. In an hour or two the small arena
was a field of blood Joey would creep forward, put his victorious cock
into his bag together with many dead adversaries, and watch an
opportunity for a safe retreat.
Such was the employment of our hero; and although suspicion had
often been attached to his father, none had an idea that there had been a
violation of the laws on the part of the son, when an event took place
which changed our hero's destiny.
CHAPTER FOUR.
IN WHICH THE AUTHOR HAS ENDEAVOURED, WITH ALL HIS
POWER, TO SUIT THE PRESENT TASTE OF THE PUBLIC.
We have said that Byres was the receiver of the game obtained by
Rushbrook. It so happened, that in these accounts Byres had not
adhered to his duty towards his neighbour; in fact, he attempted to
over-reach, but without success, and from that time Byres became
Rushbrook's determined, but secret, enemy. Some months had passed
since their disagreement, and there was a mutual mistrust (as both men
were equally revengeful in their tempers), when they happened to meet
late on a Saturday night at the ale-house, which was their usual resort.
Furness the schoolmaster was there; he and many others had already

drunk too much; all were boisterous and noisy. A few of the wives of
those drinking were waiting patiently and sorrowfully outside, their
arms folded in their aprons as a defence against the cold, watching for
their husbands to come out, that they might coax them home before the
major part of the week's earnings had been spent in liquor. Byres had
the paper in his hand--he had taken it from the schoolmaster, who was
too far gone to read it, and was declaiming loudly against all
governments, monarchy, and laws when a stranger entered the
tap-room where they were all assembled. Rushbrook was at the time
sitting down, intending quietly to take a pint and walk home, as he had
too much respect for the Sabbath to follow his profession of poacher on
the morning of that day: he did not intend, therefore, to resort to his
usual custom of pretending to be intoxicated; but when the stranger
came in, to his great surprise he observed a glance of recognition
between him and Byres, after which they appeared as if they were
perfect strangers. Rushbrook watched them carefully, but so as not to
let them perceive he was so doing, when a beckon from the stranger to
Byres was again made. Byres continued to read the paper and to
harangue, but at the same time took an opportunity of making a signal
in reply. There was something in the stranger's appearance which told
Rushbrook that he was employed as a keeper, or something in that way,
for we often single out our enemies by instinct. That there was mischief
in the wind Rushbrook felt sure, and his heart misgave him the more so,
as occasionally the eyes of both were turned towards him. After a little
reflection, Rushbrook determined to feign intoxication, as he had so
often done before: he called for another pint, for some time talked very
loud, and at last laid his head on the table; after a time he lifted it up
again, drank more, and then fell back on the bench. By degrees the
company thinned, until there was no one left but the schoolmaster, the
pedlar, and the stranger. The schoolmaster, as usual, offered to assist
the pedlar in helping Rushbrook to his cottage; but Byres replied that
he was busy, and that he need not wait for Rushbrook; the friend he had
with him would assist him in taking home the drunken man. The
schoolmaster reeled home, leaving the two together. They sat down on
the bench, not far from Rushbrook, who appeared to them to be in the
last stage of inebriety. Their conversation was easily overheard. The
pedlar stated that he had watched several nights, but never could find

when Rushbrook left his cottage, but he had traced the boy more than
once; that R had promised to have game ready for him on Tuesday, and
would go out on Monday night for it. In short, Rushbrook discovered
that Byres was about to betray him to the man, whom, in the course of
their conversation, he found out to be a game-keeper newly hired by the
lord of the manor. After a while they broke up, Byres having promised
to join the keeper in his expedition, and to assist in securing his former
ally. Having made these arrangements, they then took hold