Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-10-31

II Hill Of Catterthun was
N s s'sssHs. y ws's ssp,.s se , r':
Yale of Lethnot, Forfarshi.e-conse-
quently game was abundant; but all
the woods and grounds were carefully
patrollcd by many keepers and bal
lifts. But in face Of all this pOachers
were numerous, and bold, and many
stories are told about them. l recol
lect rather amusing incident.
At that time there We're two very
determined poachers-I think one of
them was named 'Drummond." They
were 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, bat 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 4 little showery, heavy
clouds kept scudding across the face
Of the moon. 1t was the fail of the
year, but the evening was pleasantly
warm.
The keeper had carefully sccreted
himself among a ClUmp Of tall broom
and whin bushes. 1t was not long be-
fore he discovered his prey. One of
the pOachers had what appeared to be
grain sack Gu his back, and, by
gIimpSCS Of the moon, our hero could
see that there was something bulky in
it. 'Hare9, no doubt" chuckled the
keeper. and perhaps pheasants Aha.
now l have them at last. At the prop
er time l will give chase and catch
them"
Just then the moon gl!nted forth
again, and convinced him that he had
made no mistake, for the men were
within thirty yards of him. AHA! my
billies," the keeper again chuckled to
himself. 'Forsooth, sack full of
my hares, but l have got you this
time And out he sailed from his
ambush. The bushes parted and out
the conquering hero goes with blood
III his eyes.
But the best laid schemes OF mice
and men gang aft agley,' for another
dash of moonlight assured him that
the poachers had seen him, for they
had already started to run; but the
keeper was fleet of foot and gave
rapid chase. cloud came over the
face of the moon, and they all but
lost sight Of each other.
Not word was spoken, but on sped
the pursued and the puTsuer. Anoth-
CT rift In the clouds revealed to the
keeper that he wGs gaining on them.
one of the poachers was falling be-
hind-it was the one with the sack.
Now was the time fer "Gamie." He
yelled at the top of his voice, (Which
by the way was equal to steam cal
liope) Stop thief; l have caught you
at last my fine fellow; Botany Bay
for you this time" He was now close
OH to the fleeing man with the sack.
The poacher stumbles and rolls over
an old stump, the sack going one way
and the man another. Now. SIR
screamed the keeper, turn my hares
out Of that sack" No, l won't do
anything OF the kind" Srowled the
poacAer as he scrambled to his feet
limping badly. If you want to know
what is III it you must unite the sack
and find out for yourself" Aha
snaried the keeper, L will soon do
that and he whipped out his knife
to cut the string
Inc poacher was noanin. and limp
ing badly, 50 the "Gamie' thought
that there was 10 chance OF him try
ing TO escape. You scoundrel, is your
leg broke Il think it is" moaned
the poacher. All! there nov, l will
see how many of my beauties you
have got in there" proceeding to cut
the string that was lying the sack,
his head leaning forward near the
mouth Of the bag.
AS he reached down his hand to
bring out the contents. the keeper
| gave wild, piercing scream, and then
began to execute one Of the widest OF
Indian war dances. Hey, there.
cried the poacher, keep Off What /.
| the matter with you? l say, kee1
still or you will break my other leg.
Fire. murder, thieves, the Lord have
mercy roared the keeper. What dix
| you have in that SACK
| Aha" laughed the Doacher, "yoi
found out, didn't you? There, nov
my leg is better, so l must be off. Goo,
night, Camie, and remember that :.
bird in the hand is worth two in tn
BUSH And of he ran to Join hi
companion twho was waiting for hir
and enjoying the fun leaving the mis-
cradle gamekeeper screaming and vel
ing, and rolling his body on the groun
like real professional contortionis
The scheme was a weil-laid one O
the part Of the poachers, bet 4 seriou
and very cruel one Tor the keepe,
The poacherS had been very success.
full in Sharing good many hares tia
morning. but they could rot get the1
moved, for they knew that Gamie wa
watching them. and capture NEAR
transportation. So they devised pla
TO catch the keeper. In going the
rounds they knew the exact spo
where there was 4 wasp's Dyke ines
hanging in the bushes. 1t was a vel
: large enc, about the size OF Il Dec
measure. This suited their purpos
On this eventful evening they got
sack and half filled it with some ligl
material. Then at the proper tin
they bagged the Dyke, wasps and a
and securely tied the mouth of ii
sack.
How the plan worked We have ,
ready seen. On purpose the poach