here would they remain outside during the service, meeting, unquailed
and without blushing, his eyes, cast upon them as he came out again.
Such was the state of things in the village of Grassford in one year
after the pedlar had added it to his continual rounds--and Byres was a
great favourite, for he procured for the women what they commissioned
him to obtain, supplied the girls with ribbons and gewgaws, and trusted
to a considerable extent. His reappearance was always anxiously looked
for; he lived scot-free at the public-house, for he brought so much
custom, and was the occasion of the drinking of so much ale, that the
landlord considered his coming as a godsend. His box of ware was well
supplied in the sunnier months, for the fine weather was the time for
the wearing of gay ribbons; but in the winter he travelled more to
receive orders, or to carry away the game supplied to him by the
poachers, with whom he was in league. Had his box been examined during
the shooting season, it would have been found loaded with pheasants, not
with trinkets and ribbons. It need hardly be observed after this that
Byres was the party who took off the hands of Rushbrook all the game
which he procured, and which he had notice to call for before daylight,
generally the _second_ morning after it had been obtained; for Rushbrook
was too cautious to trust Byres with his secret, that of never going out
of a night without having previously pretended intoxication, and having
suffered himself to be led or carried home.

Our readers will acknowledge that little Joey was placed in a very
dangerous position; it is true that he was not aware that he was doing
wrong in assisting his father; nevertheless, being a reflective boy, it
did sometimes occur to him that it was odd that what was right should be
done so secretly; and he attempted to make out how it was that the birds
that flew about everywhere, and appeared to belong to every one, might
not be shot in the open day. He knew that the laws forbade it; but he
inquired of himself why such laws should be. Joey had heard but one
side of the question, and was therefore puzzled. It was fortunate for
him that the pastor of the parish, although he did not reside in it, did
at least once a week call in at Mr F's school, and examine the boys.
Mr Furness, who was always sober during the school hours, was very
proud of these visits, and used to point out little Joey as his most
promising scholar. This