The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-11-29
The GaWskespEr
and the Wasps.
A True POachlng Story.
by W. w. wmOcl,s. NraSvlle, Ky.


"a n ANY years ago the famous
" II Hill Of Catterthun was |
" densely wooded on all |
sides-as you approach the !
Yale of Lethnot, Forfarshire-conse-l
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
We're numerous, and bold, and many
stories are told about them. recol-
lect a rather amusing incident.
At that time there were two very
determined poachers-I think one Of
them was named "Drummond." They
were both well 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 well
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 q little showery, heavy
clouds kept scudding across the face
of the moon. 1t was the fall Of the
year, but the evening was pleasantly
warm.
The keeper had carefully secreted
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
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 will give chase and catch
them"
Just then the moon glinted fortl
again, and convinced him that he ha(
made no mistake, for the men were
within thirty yards of him. Aha! M!
billies," the keeper again chuckled t.
himself. "FOrsooth, a sack full 0
my hares, but 1 have got you thi
time" And out he sailed from hi
ambush. The bushes parted, and on
the conquering hero goes with bloc
in his eyes.
But "the best laid schemes Of mic
and men gang aft agley," for anothe
dash Of moonlight assured him this
the poachers had seen him, for the
had already started to run; but tt
keeper was feet of foot, and gay
rapid chase. A cloud came over tt
face of the moon, and they all bl
lost sight of each other.
Not a word was spoken, but on spC
the pursued and the pursuer. AnOt
or rift in the clouds revealed to Il
keeper that he was gaining on thel
One of the poachers was falling
hind-it was the one with the sac
Now was the time for "GGmie."
yelled at the top of his voice. (Whi
by the way was equal to a steam C
liope) "StOp thief; have caught Y
at last my fine fellow; Botany B
for you this time" He was now Gle
on to the fleeing man with the sa
The poacher stumbles and rolls o.
an old stump, the sack going one W
and the man another. "Now, 81
screamed the keeper, turn my la
out Of that sack" mo, 1 won't
anything of the kind" growled
poacher, as he scrambled to his
limping badly. IF you want to kn
what is in it you must unite the s.
and find out for yourself" al
snarled the keeper, Il will soon
that" and he whipped out his X
to cut the string.
The poacher was moaning and Ii
ing badly, so the "Gamie" thou
that there was no chance of him
ing to escape. you scoundrel, is }
leg broke%' IL think it is" moa
the poacher. "Ah! there now
see how many of my beauties
have got in there" proceeding to
the string that was lying the s
his head leaning forward near
mouth Of the bag.