and answer me: Are not those
presumptive evidences of your guilt? Where did they come from?" He
pointed, as he spoke, to several head of game, pheasants, partridges,
and hares, which lay on the ground, while I stood before him leaning on
my gun, my eyes not daring to meet his, which I knew were fixed on me.
My two dogs crouched at my feet, looking as if they also were culprits
and fully comprehended the tenor of his words.

My father was a clergyman, the vicar of a large parish in the south of
Ireland, where the events I am now narrating took place. He was a tall
man, with silvery locks and well-formed features. I think his hair was
prematurely grey. The expression of his countenance was grave, and
betokened firmness and decision, though his general character was mild
in the extreme. He was a kind parent, in some respects too kind; and he
was very indulgent towards the faults and errors of those not
immediately connected with him. He was on good terms with the Roman
Catholics of the neighbourhood, of which faith were the large majority
of the population, and even with the priests; so that our family had few
enemies, and were never in any way molested by the peasantry.

That, however, we had some foes, I shall have occasion presently to
show. But I must return to the scene I was describing. I may be
pardoned for first giving a slight sketch of myself. I hope that I may
escape being accused of vanity, as I shall not dwell on my personal
appearance. I believe that I inherited some of my parents' good looks;
but the hardships I have endured have eradicated all traces of them. I
was well grown for my age (I was barely fifteen), but, dressed in my
loose shooting-costume, my countenance ruddy with fresh air and
exercise, I looked much older.

"What do you suppose would be the lot of a poor man's son, if he were to
be discovered acting as you are constantly doing in spite of my warnings
and commands?" continued my father, his voice growing more serious and
his look more grave. "I tell you, boy, that the consequences may and
will be lamentable; and do not believe, that because you are the son of
a gentleman, you can escape the punishment due to the guilty.

"You are a poacher. You deserve the name; and on some occasion, when
engaged in that lawless occupation, you will probably encounter the
gamekeepers of the persons on whose estates you are trespassing, and
whose property you are robbing. Now hear me out. T