Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-11-07
The Gamskeeper
and the Wasps.
A True Poaching Story.
Ey W. w. willocks. Mayvi1le. Ky.
A True Poaching Story.

Hill or CaCtertlun was
" densely wooded on all
sides-as you approach the
Yale of Lethnot, Forfarshire-conse-
quently game was abundant; but all
the woods and grounds were carefully
patrolled by many keepers and bal
lifts. But in face of all this poachers
were numerous, and bold, and many
stories are told about them. I recol-
lect a rather amusing incident.
At that time there were two very
determined poachers-I think one of
them was named "Drummond." They
We're both we'll known, and gave the
keepers a good deal of trouble. The
head gamekeeper had resolved to cap
ture them single handed, and to this
end he had been secretly watching
their movements. He knew full we'll
that they had game in their posses
sion, but how to make the capture
was the difficult part, for they were
very shrewd and cunning.
The keeper had been out watching
several nights in the hope of securing
them and their booty. At last his vigil
is about to be rewarded. The night
had been a little showery, heavy
clouds kept scudding across the face
OF the moon. It was the fall of the
year, but the evening was pleasantly
warm.
The keeper had carefully secreted
himself among a ciump of tall broom
and whin bushes. It was not long be-
fore he discovered his prey One of
the poachers had what appeared to be
a grain sack on his back, and, by
| Glimpses Of the moon, our hero could
see that there was something bulky in
| it. 'Hares, no Doubt" chuckled the
keeper, land perhaps pheasants. Aha
now have them at last. At the prop
er time I will give chase and catch
| them"
Just then the moon glinted forth
again, and convinced him that he had
made no mistake, fer the men We're
within thirty yards Of him. "Aha! my
billies," the keeper again chuckled tc
himself. "Forsooth, sack full OF
my hares, but I have got you this
time" And out he sailed from his
ambush. The bushes parted, and out
the conquering hero goes with blood
In his eyes.
But ''the best laid schemes OF mice
and men gang aft agley," for another
dash of moonlight assured him tha1
the poachers had seen him, for they
i mad already started to run; but the
! keeper was feet Of foot, and CAV.
rapid chase. A cloud came over tn,
face CT the moon, AID they all bu
lost sight Of each other.
Not word was spoken, but on spec
the pursued and the pursuer. Anoth
er rlft IN the clouds revealed to th
keeper that he was gaining On them
One Of the poachers was falling be
hind-it was the one with the sack
Now was the time for "Gamie." H
yelled at the top Of his voice, (whic
Dy the way was equal to steam ca
. hope) stop thief; have caught yo
at last my fine fellow; Botany Ba
: for you this time' He was now clos
on to the fleeing man with the sacl
The poacher stumbles and rolls owe
an old stump, the sack going one wa
and the man another. ''Now. sir,
screamed the keeper, turn my hare
out OF that SACK mo, I won't d
anything Of the kind,'' growled til
poacher, as he scrambled to his fee
!; limping badly. "If you want to kno,
, what is in it you must unite the sac
and find out for yourself "Aha
snarled the keeper, 81 will soon q
that" and he whipped out his knit
to cut the string.
The poacher was moaning and linn
ii ing badly, so the "Gamie'' though
! ! that there was no chance of him tr
ing to escape. ''You scoundrel, is 70,
leg broke?" II think it isl moane
the poacher. "Ah! there now 1 vi
) see how many of my beauties ye
have got in there" proceeding to G.
the string that was lying the sac
his head leaning forward near ii
mouth of the bag.