combat, he would throw down his gallant bird, and conceal himself in the
brushwood; the game-cock would immediately crow, and his challenge was
immediately answered by the pugnacious male pheasant, who flew down to
meet him: the combat was short, for the pheasant was soon pierced by the
sharp steel of his adversary; and as one antagonist fell dead, again
would the game-cock crow, and his challenge be accepted by another. In
an hour or two the small arena was a field of blood Joey would creep
forward, put his victorious cock into his bag together with many dead
adversaries, and watch an opportunity for a safe retreat.

Such was the employment of our hero; and although suspicion had often
been attached to his father, none had an idea that there had been a
violation of the laws on the part of the son, when an event took place
which changed our hero's destiny.

CHAPTER FOUR.

IN WHICH THE AUTHOR HAS ENDEAVOURED, WITH ALL HIS POWER, TO SUIT THE
PRESENT TASTE OF THE PUBLIC.

We have said that Byres was the receiver of the game obtained by
Rushbrook. It so happened, that in these accounts Byres had not adhered
to his duty towards his neighbour; in fact, he attempted to over-reach,
but without success, and from that time Byres became Rushbrook's
determined, but secret, enemy. Some months had passed since their
disagreement, and there was a mutual mistrust (as both men were equally
revengeful in their tempers), when they happened to meet late on a
Saturday night at the ale-house, which was their usual resort. Furness
the schoolmaster was there; he and many others had already drunk too
much; all were boisterous and noisy. A few of the wives of those
drinking were waiting patiently and sorrowfully outside, their arms
folded in their aprons as a defence against the cold, watching for their
husbands to come out, that they might coax them home before the major
part of the week's earnings had been spent in liquor. Byres had the
paper in his hand--he had taken it from the schoolmaster, who was too
far gone to read it, and was declaiming loudly against all governments,
monarchy, and laws when a stranger entered the tap-room where they were
all assembled. Rushbrook was at the time sitting down, intending
quietly to take a pint and walk home, as he had too much respect for the
Sabbath to follow his profession of poacher on the morning of that day:
he did not intend, therefore, to resort to his usual custom of
pretending to