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"But so me"

"Well, it weren't I A keeper I be, a-lookin' for a poachin'

cove just about your size, and it's precious lucky for you as you

are a-wearin' that there bell-crowned 'at!"

"Why so?"

"Because, if you 'adn't 'appened to be a-wearin' that there

bell-crowner, and I 'adn't 'appened to be of a argifyin' and

inquirin' turn o' mind, I should ha' filled you full o' buckshot"

"Oh?" said I

"Yes," said he, nodding, while I experienced a series of cold

chills up my spine, "not a blessed doubt of it Poachers," he

went on, "don't wear bell-crowned 'ats as a rule--I never seed

one as did; and so, while I was a-watchin' of you be'ind this

'ere 'edge, I argies the matter in my mind 'Robert,' I says to

meself, 'Robert,' I sez, 'did you ever 'appen to see a poachin'

cove in a bell-crowner afore? No, you never did,' sez I 'But,

on the other 'and, this 'ere cove is the very spit o' the

poachin' cove as I'm a-lookin' for True!' sez I to meself,

'but this 'ere cove is a-wearin' of a bell-crowner 'at, but the

poachin' cove never wore a bell-crowner--nor never will' Still,

I er on ye--just to make