or so, and, with
an impudent flicker of his tail, dart into the depths of the quickset)
came beating down a high double hedge, two on each side.

"There he is again," "Head him," "Let drive," "I had him there," "Take
care where you're throwing, Madman," the shouts might have been heard a
quarter of a mile off. They were heard some two hundred yards off by a
farmer and two of his shepherds, who were doctoring sheep in a fold in
the next field.

Now, the farmer in question rented a house and yard situate at the end
of the field in which the young bird-fanciers had arrived, which house
and yard he didn't occupy or keep any one else in. Nevertheless, like a
brainless and unreasoning Briton, he persisted in maintaining on the
premises a large stock of cocks, hens, and other poultry. Of course, all
sorts of depredators visited the place from time to time: foxes and
gipsies wrought havoc in the night; while in the day time, I regret to
have to confess that visits from the Rugby boys, and consequent
disappearances of ancient and respectable fowls, were not unfrequent.
Tom and East had during the period of their outlawry visited the barn in
question for felonious purposes, and on one occasion had conquered and
slain a duck there, and borne away the carcase triumphantly, hidden in
their handkerchiefs. However, they were sickened of the practice by the
trouble and anxiety which the wretched duck's body caused them. They
carried it to Sally Harrowell's in hopes of a good supper; but she,
after examining it, made a long face, and refused to dress or have
anything to do with it. Then they took it into their study, and began
plucking it themselves; but what to do with the feathers,--where to hide
them?

"Good gracious, Tom, what a lot of feathers a duck has!" groaned East,
holding a bagful in his hand, and looking disconsolately at the carcase,
not yet half plucked.

"And I do think he's getting high too, already," said Tom, smelling at
him cautiously, "so we must finish him up soon."

"Yes, all very well; but how are we to cook him? I'm sure I ain't going
to try it on in the hall or passages; we can't afford to be roasting
ducks about, our character's too bad."

"I wish we were rid of the brute," said Tom, throwing him on the table
in disgust. And after a day or two more it became clear that got rid of
he must be; so they packed him and sealed him up in brown paper, and put
him in the cupboard of an unoccupied study, where he