"I rejoice to know it!"
"And justice o' the peace."
"I felicitate you!"
"As such, sir, 'tis my present endeavour to get an enactment passed making the law more rigorous against poaching——"
"A noble work!" sighed the Major.
"In the which, sir, I am being vigorously supported by the neighbouring gentry. You are a stranger in these parts, I think?"
"I have resided at the Manor precisely a month and two days, sir."
"Then, sir, permit me to say that the quality hereabouts are united against such miserable rogues as this damned poaching rascal."
"You are something in the majority, 'twould seem!" said the Major, glancing from the blood-smeared face of the solitary captive to the shuffling throng.
"We are determined to put down such roguery with a firm hand, sir," answered Sir Oliver, truculently, "I have already succeeded in having four such rascals as yon transported for life, sir."