and we must leave this brave buck to
take care of himself. Curse him!--who'd 'a' thought of Hugh Badger's
quitting his bed to-night? Respect for his late master might have kept
him quiet the night before the funeral. But look out, lad. Dost see
'em?"

"Ay, thanks to old Oliver--yonder they are," returned the other.
"One--two--three--and a muzzled bouser to boot. There's Hugh at the head
on 'em. Shall we stand and show fight? I have half a mind for it."

"No, no," replied the first speaker; "that will never do, Rob--no
fighting. Why run the risk of being grabb'd for a haunch of venison? Had
Luke Bradley or Jack Palmer been with us, it might have been another
affair. As it is, it won't pay. Besides, we've that to do at the hall
to-morrow night that may make men of us for the rest of our nat'ral
lives. We've pledged ourselves to Jack Palmer, and we can't be off in
honor. It won't do to be snabbled in the nick of it. So let's make for
the prad in the lane. Keep in the shade as much as you can. Come along,
my hearty." And away the two worthies scampered down the hill-side.

"Shall I follow," thought Luke, "and run the risk of falling into the
keeper's hand, just at this crisis, too? No, but if I am found here, I
shall be taken for one of the gang. Something must be done--ha!--devil
take them, here they are already."

Further time was not allowed him for reflection. A hoarse baying was
heard, followed by a loud cry from the keepers. The dog had scented out
the game; and, as secrecy was no longer necessary, his muzzle had been
removed. To rush forth now were certain betrayal; to remain was almost
equally assured detection; and, doubting whether he should obtain
credence if he delivered himself over in that garb and armed, Luke at
once rejected the idea. Just then it flashed across his recollection
that his gun had remained unloaded, and he applied himself eagerly to
repair this negligence, when he heard the dog in full cry, making
swiftly in his direction. He threw himself upon the ground, where the
fern was thickest; but this seemed insufficient to baffle the sagacity
of the hound--the animal had got his scent, and was baying close at
hand. The keepers were drawing nigh. Luke gave himself up for lost. The
dog, however, stopped where the two poachers had halted, and was there
completely at fault: snuffing the ground, he bayed, wheeled round, and
then set off with renewed barking upon their track. Hugh Badger and his
comrad