Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/87

 young hounds. Are their services required for your pigs and cows, and to what uses are they to be put."

"We have as good a dog as there is in the forest," replied Edward; "but we wished to have others in case we should lose him."

"As good a dog as in the forest—good for what?"

"For hunting."

"Then you acknowledge that you do hunt?"

"I acknowledge nothing for Jacob Armitage, he may answer for himself," replied Edward; "but allow me to assure you that if he has killed venison, no one can blame him."

"Perhaps you will explain why?"

"Nothing is more easy. Jacob Armitage served King Charles, who employed him as a verderer in the Forest, and paid him his wages. Those who should not have done so, rebelled against the king, took his authority from him, and the means of paying those he employed. They were still servants of the king, for they were not dismissed; and, having no other means of support, they considered that their good master would be but too happy that they should support themselves by killing, for their subsistence that venison which they could no longer preserve for him without eating some themselves."

"Then you admit that Jacob Armitage has killed the deer in the Forest?"

"I admit nothing for Jacob Armitage."

"You admit that you have killed it yourself."

"I shall not answer that question, Sir; in the first place, I am not here to criminate myself; and, in the here, I must know by what authority you have the right to inquire."

"Young man," replied the other, in a severe tone, "if you wish-to know my authority, malapert as you are, (at this remark Edward started, yet, recollecting himself, he compressed his and stood still) this is my Commission, appointing me the