The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-03

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 ing in the undergrowth. and the noise came nearer and nearer to him. It
 was quite evident that the man, who-
 ever he was, had no wish to avoid
 him, or else was ignorant of his pres
 ence.
 In . few moments someone came
 crashing out of the bushes. and stum-
 bied into his very arms with a cry of
 terror. Tankerlane gripped him by
 helpless in his powerful grasp. But 1t
 was possible that he had 2 knife about
 .Poaching, ehl" said Tankeriane.
 swinging the man of his feet, and
 forcing him face downwards on to the stones.
 "Poachin'r' the man spluttered. NO.
 swelp me bob. guv'nor. of tell yer strite, guv'nor, Ofm an honest man.
 Lave go, yer chokin' me. Cant . pore, 'ard-working feller tike shflter from the bloomin' daln3 Leave, go.
 say" and he squirmed and struggled helplessly in the mud.
 Tankerlane knew at once from the mans accent that he was not native of those parts. Then he caught sight of a, tiny yellow gleam on the>ground-- a mere speck of light in the darkness; He stretched out his left hand and touched the hot metal of a small lan- tern. He picked it up by the handle, and thrusting 1t into the mans hand. hauled him to his feet. l, dark lantern, ehg' he exclaimed. ssTurn the light on and let us see wno you are am the owner or these woods, and you have no business m them at this time of night.
 T tike my oath, guv'nor, the man whined. Turn on the light" Tankerlane said sternly. 'I shan't hurt you, tand I'll give you a job and half sovereign if you'll do it," The man turned round the slide Of the lantern and a shaft of yellow light streamed out into the darkness IL fell on Tankerlane,s face, ana small, circular patch of wet bushes and sparkling raindrops Tankerianss E took the lantern from the mars hahu and examined his prisoner. The fellow was thin, undersizeo specimen of a man.~and he presented A miserable appearance as he stood shiyering in his ragged and soaking clothes. His face was pale and ugly. and covered with three weeks growth of dirty yellow hair. Ills smaii, bloodshot eyes blinked nervously m the light. His whole aspect was tna' of a man caught in the act or commit fine d felony. Tankeriane noticed a piece of thin wire sticking out from one of the torn pockets. :. "A snare, eh?" he said. Well, II doesn't matter. I've a horse here just behInd me The devil won't move frightened of something. I'll give you half a sovereign If you'll stand by him till I send groom up from the Court"
 The man did not answer, but his teeth chattered as he looked nervous Iy behind Tanksrlane into the dark
 well you scoundreIT' said Tanker
 lane giving him shake to quicken his powers of speech.
 Mike it a quid. guv'ndr." the man
 whined.
 .tBe hanged to you," replied Tanker
 lane. You may think yourself lucky
 I'm not giving you over to the police"
 ''rhe 'orse stopped. did 'e." said the
 man. .Oh, the 'orse stopped. The
 blessed hanimal. e seed morn we
 'uman beings; e stopped there, by the
 rile. the broken rile. Oh, e stopped,
 did e, and you arsk me to stay there
 for arf thick 'un. there. where the bloomin' 'orse seed i'm"
 what are you drivelling about. you
 idiot?" said Tankerlane stern1y. If
 you don't go and stand by that horse,
 I'll take you down. to the police sta
 ton"
 The man cringed and powered before
 Tankerlane's angry voice. ,s .sss5. j.