The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-05-09 00:00:00

A STORY OF CRANBORNE CHASK

(Prom ad Noe ZMNd roadwork.)

Almost in the centre of Cranhorne Chase, once part of
the New Forest and which, as late as ler contained
some twelve thousand deer, looked after by six rangers
under the orders of Lord Wears there stands, seven
miles from Cranborne, • small public-boom .aoed the
Bald-headed Sew with lislf-a-doeen keepers' and shep-
herds' houses to beep it company.
The Chien whisk owe embraced half Donet.fiompshirS,
and Wiltshire, is full of kills, which, towards
tern to bare downs, with bare and there a clump of
beech teem on a knoll, • sunken line that ledimites an
toward
ancients the Hriteolarthway, or an old Roman raid leading
Up one of them low grassy tracts, which are called in
Wiltshire "ox drivm," and round • shoulder of the rolli
ng
down, where three low lines of y rampart showed
that a ROM= camp had once stood, came • sturdy young
keeper, his trusty gun on his 'boulder and his dog at his
heels. He was a dne well-knit young fellow my three-
and-twenty; his face shrewd and defiant hie step drm
and light His old brown-velvet 'booting Jacket was
rubbed white on the right shoulder, and be wore in his
grey felt bat, which was girt with trout dies, a little
green tuft from a kingfisher's wing. His flesh had that
peculiar hardness shoot it that implies perfect health and
he looked round wish that sort of command that
supervisors acquire, as he 'canned the woodlands and
copses scattered here and there below him.
The 'Halite@ thing seemed to catch his eye; • tuft of
lark's feathers, where a hawk had been feeding ,• a few
scattered badger's baba ; a fresh mola-hill ; ad the print
of dies', feet. or • scrap ef rabbit's fur be observed and
noted as he pared. Once he stopped and sat down on •
little grsasy mound, which • wheaten, vacated for him, to
scrape out big black bner-reot and quiety re-load. while
his deg searched the next tussocks of dry grass for a
rabbit, and just then an old gentleman rode round the
corner of the camp and pulled up his horse when be saw
hbn.

" Young Germ" aa the keeper WU always culled.
touched his wideawake with the forefinger of his right
ha.z.mi• .

" Don't you stand up in this county when you meet a
gentleman I" said the ranger, petulantly, at the same time
striking his iteltered leg with
'ens,
Only when we knows ens, mister," said George,
Aging eiviUy as he addressed the ranaer, I know every
one round here, but you be • stranger to me."
"Do you idle much of your time away smoking like
that, my friend I" inquired the stranger sharply.
"What right have you to enquire how I spend my time,
mister,' said Geergeot little "up " at this interference.
" If you want to know, this is my total time, and I theme
to spend It smoking. Don't you nor? spend time worse I"
"You're an impertinent fellow, broke out the gentle-
man, in a tory, "and I beg to tell you I an Herbert
Harcourt, Fog., of Beauchamp Lodge, the new ranger,
and I have power to dismiss you or any other insolent
keeper from his post at one word. lam not going to let
things go to ruin as my predecessor did. Tbe poachers
kill the deer here. I mu tobl, with impunity, and all
owing to lazy fellows like you."
There has been no buck ever shot in my walk," said
George, bristling up, and throwing his gun carelessly on
his right shoulder. "The cote killed a fortnight ago was
in Woodgate's walk, old Joe Levitates walk."
" Oh, then you have not beard," said the new ranger,
" that • buck was killed last night, not one mile from
Dowherry Riega
"No, air, I have not.". .

"There was than, and the forequarter was found in a
hollow tree near the big oak in Rushmere Walk. His
lordship is very angry, and declares he'll turn away the
next keeper who looses a deer from his beat. There is
connivance with this gang suspected somewhere, •nd we
must get to the bottom of It. lam a stranger here, but
they tell me that • rucal named Black Jack, of Wood-
actually makes a living killing and selling his
grliaiiip's deer, and some, at least, of the keepers are
conviving at the robbery. Were you at the Big Oak last
nigbtt Rua/mere Walk ism your beat, I think. It is set
down so in the book they showed me this morning."
" Rushmere was in my walk," said Guru boldly, not
flinching a hair's breath; "but last week Lord Waters
sent and ordered us all to change about; so Old Bohm
took Rushmore and I took Woodgatea There has never
been a deer, sir, killed in any walk I've had since rye
been luFe," _

---7"-PerhiTps so, perhaps so; but, I can tell all you keepers
things are not going on as they have gone, I'm going to
have better watch. Those rascals learn your beats from
some of you. Now come, don't you ever get talking at
the public-house about the line you're going to take at
night, with threats and brags of what you'll do if you met
a deer-stealer—now come !'
" Never, sir said George, quietly. "I don't tell even
my own father the line I'm going to take. I make it •
rule."
" And have you no sweetheart—come now—that you
sometimes talk to about it, and who, perhaps, goes and
tells some friend of these rogues I"
's cheek slightly reed, as he pulled about his
dog-whistle at his button-hole, and made no reply; for
the fact was he often told HMV Dawson where he should
he in the Chase at • certain hour, that he might meet her
on her way home from Shaftesbury Market In half-an.
hour's time sixth • pleasant little meeting might, indeed,
not improbably take place at Dniscestle Binge.
"An! I see ; rve kit it at last. So you men go and tall
your sweethearts, and they tell their other lovers, who
tell some of the gang,, and so my lord's deer get killed."
The young keepers chest Rushed quick and angrily.
" Hetty," he said—" I mean the only young woman I
ever mention my walks to, has no other loevrs ; and
nothing, I em sure, ever wanes her lips."
" Oh, if course not ! women are so reliable, and never
have two strings to their bows! Take my advice—tell no
one; for so sure as another deer is killed, and the poacher
not caught, away the whole lot of you, and I'll tr 7
some at may Yorkshire men from the estate which I've
been superintending. I will not have men who are in
correspondence with deer-Poachers."
"There is no stain on my character, sir," said the young
keeper, proudly. "I've never been found off my poet
the seven years Tye been here"
"I can only judge from what I find now." nisi the
ranger's depot, ; " and it is as had as bad can be. If you
had been all Border men there would have been none 01
this shameful deer-stealing. Now, mind what I have
said: those who anal obey me. go. Keep to your own
walk to-night, and I'll send and tell old Bolton to keep
to his. I'll have none of this piecemeal biainess."
And so saying, Use angry Jack-In-office struck the
handsome chestnut cob he rode with his crop, and dashed
off straight saves the Downs at a sharp canter. He left
the young keeper • thoroughly unhappy man—his pride
hurt, his suspicions roused, his opinion of mankind
lowered. If honest service brought no better return than
this, and the reports of such men were to be all that Lord
Waters heard, what chance bad he of ever rising from the
ranks I How cams the deer-Doschars to get intelligence
of the ksePerf walks I Which was the black sheep
among his fellows It could not be, surely, honest sad
Bolton or fiery Ned Holsom.who had been nearly killed
in a poaching fray, or silent Fred Hume, who spent all his
time trapping by himself.
A sudden thought struck him, lie would not cross into
old Bolton's walk, where Duncastle Mu., were, but he
would climb the hill above the camp, and, if he saw signs
of Hetty on her way from market, signal to her to come
WOOL
. . . . . . . .

—A
few minutes run Nought hire to tbe top of tbe
highest wave of the Down. Here he waited and waited,
=njt over the valley and scanning every rabbit that
from furze to furze, and every crow that Alighted
within five hundred yard& Suddenly. • little figure ran
round the corner of the ring of Dniidical atones, and
waved a handkerchief, George started, and held up his
gun ; and down the figure came into the valley, and up
the hill to the camp. lie strode down to est her,
and she, rosy with the sun, came laughingly towards

-7" Why. how Late you are, George." she said, in reply to
half -a-dose kisses, "a nice gallant lover, I'm sure, to let
me wait up there tee minutes; and I'd prepared such a
surprise for you. I'd hidden behind the 1:4 stone, ready
to jump up Ides a ghost when you came into the Ring.
Oh, George, efPn are SO nice sad deer at Shaftesbury
tudaLazid I got such • lot of Moi" tor Auntie. But
M't look yourself today; you're not ill It's that
id night-watching in the cold."
" Yee r. been vexed. Betty. The ranges new
deputy has been ratting me about the deerporchers.
There was another buck killed bust night, up by the Big
_ .

—lritut that was not your walk, George, lad *ht."
"N.. not mine Old Bolton, you ludenibd I told Yon,
would exchange last night. Its that Black Jack spun.
Hetty, rd give a year's wages to have my &WPM on that
man's throat.
"Oh, George, don't look like that. I never like to see
you look like that. You did mos, do you remember,
when you were jealous with roe for eneakbet to Black
Jack and accepting his present at Shaftesbury Fair."
It would make you look so, Betty. to be suspected by
a stuck-up fellow like that; sad You know. I would
rather cut off both my heads here at once, than mix
myself up with rascals like Black Jack and hie geng, and
lose my character with Lord Waters. Now listen
Hedy." He took her hand as he spoke, and sat her down
bed& him on the grass.
" Is it anything eel, drone. did Jlntaly laughing.
" I going to be put to the oath, like papas at the
Sims!"

-77—DOD's InisA Hetty ; it is really very serious." rid
her hands firmly in hth and looking
t into her clew brown eyes. " Tell me, have you
men to anyone that I and old Bolton were to
our walks lad night I The dear-eseeign have
the...
the. They can do what they like with him.
You know how he drinks." •
"Am I on my coth--Deleasu. binding oath. Lashed
Heat shaking her lovers hands up and down.
ws. really.
on't be very. very aagrytf lieU you r
"Of oourse not, Hefty; how could I be angry with
your
"Well than, I did ; but don't ask me who." There wes
a smile of good-natured mischief in her eye, es the looked
down and then up.
" But I must know who. That lashl I have to work
uP.?°?.. - -

—"Talk it wasn't a depeteeler. Don't imagine it Wag
Bleak Jack r
" No. lam sure it wasn't. Hetly. But Dow tall S.
Hettg, for I'm road_l..sfto pt • clue to these fellows."
" )(esti t" , coaxingly.
" You must if you love ma, you must."
"AdYOUwoutb,vszsdoru,gryr
"No. Why should I I 'rila me atp sa"
" You'll be
" Never mint Tell me. I feel sun it will give se
some chin I know it lam tà. Puma of Pk the vißeine
nut to Rushmore."
• Omit you pew I"
No." . _ -

"This it wow ray male from the Bald-headed Btad."
" Your tumia. " pMed Goan& bal Kind agl:
that his gin efts% dropped. ' that's wham
••••,• limps••••
' Yee • but he would di ii berm with it you maw be
sure. tie met . ii. sad lee heasa *elk.
lad about the wasp. mil Thom* Mem aid
till nem aim yea went
sieff4ehaap was IRV=
with aid Balton. Ss rod' loads walk sea sad
drove es duly. rides lw a earlalkw sort of
way snob me I lied mow raked him before.'
" kit' rid Omsk ' pm • saaret; with a
hurrieds at perdmt. 'Old Bebe. sad Ide set dhow
i.iikka Wi hem Gran la Mai* our umal mole; ao
that.—Y them follows dome attar alsoldsl. tritatjug to tha
old mai. WWI% thw will allich Milt= But mild.

NOTICIM

All communications abould be addrasoed to tie Mar
Empress sad Tolepreet Maw Dorchester, &ad Posted§
orders may be made payable to the publisher, Mr. Gm
FIUMILDI.

When sums are sent in stamps it is niquested that
they may be in half -pinny stamps.

BIRTH&
April 13. at St Thomas-street, Weymouth, the wile if
Mr. E. Debenhaut of • son.
April IS, at Greybound.rard, Dorchester, the el
Mr. G. Denson, of a doughtier.
April V, at Woodford, the wife of Mr. Judo ICSIA.
builder, of • .
April 111, atsailrestou Farm, Tarrant Rushton ibe
of Mr. Joita Day, of • eon.
April 20. at the Brickyard Cottage, Portesksot t
of ser. ai will
April jiikamialt AWbbotemdatburywd., atb: "perils of the 101 Xt. JAB
Green, of • daughter.
A_pril 30. at Park House, Shaftesbury. the EN of
F. H. Reeks, of aeon.
May A at South Terrace, Dorchester. the wife of Dr.
Robinson, of a son.
May 3, at the ligicestatioe, Portland, the wile of r.t.
Mills?, of aeon.
vimmayllaeb:y 34,,...„4"stataCharles-etreeynindsuchr.thi.ithwpton.ter.
that, Dzt..ewhesoferuterm.r.Shmuthe.okiime
•06.
wile ot
Mr. W. Parsons, of • daughter.
Apr MARRLAGES.
April 15, at the parish church. Poltituore, Deems hl
the Rey. F. Starry, Charles Meech, eldest son of the late
Samuel Henry Th
Newman, of . Brewery, sydlina.
Anna Mario, eldest daughter of Kr. John Pam.
Poltimore.
April at Lao Church by the Rev. Prebendal'
irsnlabama• /IL Yraamick Saya to mim Harris
May 1, at the swish clunk swanage,_ by the Ras
Mica, time
daughter of Mr. Chub
Vltkya.ttati.
ths Charism DUEL .01 tlwl.l CUM HoterreScheibir.
to Louisa Chariot* second daughter of Het= cl
Sudbury. Safe&
Ma.T st Bleadfard Church, by the Row. C. R. ?Yam
Cilailat:r. T. Bair. to Kim 1..0w
at the pariah church.. Regis, bY the Ra°
JAZ (0011161M11 Haag, Wmoiougiribredth by "'-
Rev. Jan Sines, ate of mesa al
dasghsr if Edward Belllioi• r.
to 11=lalter
rinXte4 Caaler—liZr7 New Ru
DS.
_ _APO 315, at lilishorengEATHli, near Wareham. Wt. April iticb4lll.
Wm V.
511. at Beansiaster, Richard Vail: hie 75M 701.
fat. JEW • few dare MUM. wife el Roble,
81;./faalt of V. Tooke, and via.. aid-
rosd, Inmemt,_eldest goo of Mr. Brea. of 141.-
1000 f Farm weevil.
May 1. at Clemskes Iftirm, Mr. Roper, saddeall
Mar /1, at IllastAft.f.dd,......Mr saddealy.
jtal,„.„ „11, after a Megy Annette:roved wit
'",,,__u`anal 07fIlf=is Minster,
%_ist Neseles Ark Inn. Horebester, Elisabeth.
ufaen Blandamer, aged 4117e505.

-
mad Published at k Illuteetrest Wash DooeWAIL'
In the perish od Holy try ego. raarzux. ,••
driesibiglesk florolsishir, for the ProtiiiitlE-
-70661/. Mal A lin