at
Wandsworth to lock you up in. I've been looking a'rter you some time.
Hand your gun here."

"I should rather think not," replied I. "The gun belongs to us, and not
to you;" and I caught up the gun, and presented the muzzle at him.

"What! do you mean to commit murder? Why, you young villains!"

"Do you want to commit a robbery?" retorted I, fiercely; "because if you
do, I mean to commit murder. Then I shoot him. Tom."

"No, Jacob, no; you mustn't shoot men," replied Tom, who perceived that
I was in a humour to keep my word with the common-keeper. "Indeed, you
can't," continued he, whispering to me; "the gun's not loaded."

"Do you mean to refuse to give me up your gun?" repeated the man.

"Yes I do," replied I, cocking the lock; "so keep off."

"Oh! you young reprobates--you'll come to the gallows before long,
that's certain. Do you refuse to come with me?"

"I should rather think we do," replied I.

"You refuse, do you? Recollect I've caught you in the fact, poaching,
with a dead hare in your possession."

"Well, it's no use crying about it. What's done can't be helped,"
replied I.

"Don't you know that all the game, and all the turf, and all the bog,
and all the gravel, and all the furze on this common belong to the Right
Honourable Earl Spencer?"

"And all the blackbirds, and all the greenfinches, and all the sparrows,
and all the tomtits too, I suppose?" replied I.

"To be sure they do--and I'm common-keeper. Now you'll give me up that
hare immediately."

"Look you," replied Tom, "we didn't kill that hare, the dog caught it,
and it is his property. We sha'n't interfere in the matter. If Tommy
chooses to let you have it, well and good. Here, Tommy, this here
gentleman says," (and Tom pointed to the keeper) "that this hare," (and
Tom pointed to the hare) "is not yours; now will you `watch it,' or let
him have it?"

At the word `watch it,' Tommy laid down with his fore-paws over the
hare, and showing a formidable set of ivories, looked fiercely at the
man, and growled.

"You see what he says; now you may do as you please," continued Tom,
addressing the man.

"Yes--very well--you'll come to the gallows, I see that; but I'll just
go and fetch half-a-dozen men to help me, and then we'll have you both
in gaol."

"Then, be smart," replied I, jumping up and levelling the gun. Tommy
jumped up also to fly at the man, but Tom caught him by the neck and
restrained him. The common-keeper