From Keeper to Captain, being the adventures of G. Cooperson during his career in the dragoons

Front matter

FROM KEEPER TO CAPTAIN [" I was too quick for him, and ran my sword through his neclc.' -p. FROM KEEPER TO CAPTAIN BEING THE ADVENTURES OF GEORGE COOPERSON DURING HIS CAREER IN THE DRAGOONS BY Major-Gen. A. W. DRAYSON, F.R.A.S. AUTHOR OK "THE WHITE CHIEF 01' THE CAFFRES \ " "SI'OKTING SCENES AMONG THE CAFFRES J " "AMONG THE ZULUS," ETC. LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL GLASGOW AND NEW YOKK 1S89 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID'S JUVENILES. THE DESERT HOME. THE BOY HUNTERS. BnuIN ; OR, THE GRAND BEAR HUNT. Oin PEOPLE. THE YOUNG VOYAGEURS. THE BOY SLAVES. THE FOREST EXILES. AFLOAT IN THE FOREST. THE GIRAFFE HUNTERS. THE BUSH BOYS. THE YOUNG YAGERS. THE PLANT HUNTERS. THE CLIFF CLIMBERS. RAN AWAY TO SEA THE OCEAN WAIFS. THE FATAL CORD. THE WHITE SQUAW. GASPAR, THE GAUCHO. THE LOST MOUNTAIN.

THE CHASE OF LEVIATHAN THE BOY TAR. <ord in Mayne Reid's books which a "There was not, we believe, schoolboy could not read aloud to his mother and sisters."— Statsdar-d. " Captain Mayne Reid's books are fitted lor the family circle, and calculated to assord many a treat to rising genera'ions. They possess so much delightful information that there are few adults who cannot rtnd Instruction and amusement in their pages." — Er* . LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. TACE THE POACHERS WERE TALKING ABOUT WHERE THEY WOULD GO FOR THEIR NEXT DEER " 7 MR. BOTLER SAID, ' PERKS, I HAVE A YOUNG ACQUAINTANCE HERE WHOSE FATHER IS A KEEPER IN THE NEW FOREST' " 37 I WAS TOO QUICK FOR HIM, AND RAN MY SWORD THROUGH HIS NECK " 73 I SAW TWO BLACK OBJECTS COMING CAUTIOUSLY TOWARDS WHERE THE CAFFRE WAS LYING " IOS tt MISS ELLEN GIVING ME A SMALL NATTY WORKED CASE, CONTAINING NEEDLES, THREAD, ETC, WHICH SHE HOPED I WOULD ACCEPT AS A SMALL SOUVENIR OF OUR ADVEN- TURES " 129 tt JUST AS I WAS ENTERING THE LONG GRASS, A BUCK JUMPED UP, NOT TEN YARDS FROM ME " 165 tt SEIZING THE REINS, I PUT IN THE SPURS BEFORE I HAD TIME TO GET MY FEET INTO THE STIRRUP IRONS " . . 180 cl THE MONSTROUS ANIMAL CHARGED DOWN ON MR. BOTLER " 197 fi I DON'T KNOW WHAT RIGHT YOU HAVE TO INTERRUPT US" ■■25 . t I AGAIN CALLED OUT, IF THE BOAT DID NOT STOP WE SHOULD FIRE AT IT " 254 1 MY HORSE WENT DOWN ON HIS HEAD, AND TURNED OVER, SENDING ME TO THE GROUND"

Chapter I

I WAS born in the New Forest in Hampshire, where my father held the position of keeper. The " Keeper's Lodge," as our house was called, was one of those old fashioned buildings which may even now be seen in that locality. The large chimney, with seats inside it> was thickly hung with hams, and it used to be my delight to sit there of an evening, watching the bright flames of the wood fire, and listening to the tales which my father told, relative to his adventures with poachers. In those days the forest was full of deer, herds of two or three hundred being often seen together, and these large herds offered great temptation to poachers, for venison would always fetch its price in the market, and also served as food to those who were successful in securing a good fat buck. As soon as I was able to walk, I used to accompany my father as he took 4lis daily journeys in the forest.

He was allowed to shoot B birds of prey, such as hawks, buzzards, magpies, jays, ravens, &c, and when big enough to hold a gun, my father would allow me to take shots at any of these birds. I thus became early accustomed to use a gun, and having naturally a good eye and steady hand, I had the making of a good shot. As, however, I had no gun of my own, but had a delight in firing at game, I set to work to construct a bow and arrows. In Sloden Wood, near our lodge, there were some fine yew trees, from the branches of which I cut several pieces suitable for bows. My arrows I procured from a carpenter, and tipping these with iron, and having feathers at the other end, I found I was armed with a really formidable weapon. My first attempts with my arrows were against the squirrels. I did not fire at the squirrels in the trees, because I found that I either lost my arrows, or they stuck in the trees, and obliged me to climb to secure them ; so I used to stalk the squirrels when they were on the ground, and dis charge my arrow when within about forty paces of them.

After a time I became a most expert stalker, and could approach almost any game without alarm ing it. Having become also an accurate shot, I soon killed a sufficient number of squirrels to make a waistcoat of their skins. Sometimes I killed a rabbit instead of a squirrel, but this was against the law, so I did not let my father know I had done so. The squirrels I found were excellent eating, and I have often been surprised why it is that some people. have a prejudice against eating squirrels, as they are far cleaner feeders than ducks, chickens, pigs, and many other things which people eat without hesitation. A squirrel-pie I found to be excellent, and I had a feast of it whenever I had a chance. My life as a boy in the forest was a very pleasant one. I was taught to read and write, and soon took great pleasure in reading about adventures in wild countries.

Among the books I was most fond of were " The Last of the Mohicans," " The Deer-slayer," and others of a similar class. My knowledge of stalking gained in the forest enabled me to appreciate all the plots and bushcraft practised by the Indians, and I often used to penetrate some of the wildest parts of the forest, and imagine I was in the wilds of North America. The healthy out-door life I led, caused me to grow rapidly, ancl to become strong, so that at fifteen I was quite a young man. At running, wrestling, jumping, cricket, and boxing, I had no equals of my age, and few men would have cared to tackle me single-handed without cause. It was when I was a few months over fifteen, that my father received information that some men had come down to the forest for the purpose of poaching, and intended to kill the deer, and sell it in London.

My father, whose name was Cooperson, on receiving this information, called me to accompany him to the next keeper's lodge, in order that they might make some plans for catching these poachers. B "George," said my father, "it is possible we may have tough work, because these poachers, I hear, have threatened that they will take the life of any one who attempts to arrest or stop them." " But cannot we shoot them first ?" I enquired. " No," said my father, " we are not allowed by law to do that, but how we are to capture them if they are armed and use their guns against us, I cannot see." There vvas a weapon used by the foresters, still well known in the forest, which I had learned to construct, and it was very formidable in the hands of a man who knew how to use it : this was what is called a squirrel bolt.

The manner in which I constructed the bolt was as follows : — I cut a straight oak-stick about two feet long, and about as thick as my thumb. I then pro cured some brown paper, and rolled this up in a conical form so as to make a cup. I set the oak-stick upright in this cup, and having melted some lead in a large iron spoon, I poured this lead slowly into the cup. The lead assumed the shape of the cone, and burnt slightly into the stick, so that when the lead became cool it held firmly to the stick. This bolt could be thrown to great distances, and with practice great accuracy could be obtained. I have knocked over rabbits with it at forty yards, and from experiences which I gained in after life, I found it was similar to the knob-kerrie of the Caffres, which these people use in war and in the chase.

I fully describe this weapon on account of an important part it played in an adventure which I shall shortly relate. I had made several bolts, and sometimes carried two or three of these when walking through the forest ; so that if I lost one for a time, I had others which I could use. On our arrival at the next keeper's lodge, my father had a long consultation vvith Edwards, as the keeper was named, as to the best means of catching the poachers. We could muster five men — that is, if I counted as a man ; for there was Edwards and his two sons, both strong young fellows, my father and I. The question was whether we should attack these poachers when they had just killed or were going to kill a deer, or wait until they had concealed it some where previous to sending it away. If the poachers were attacked when they had just killed a deer they would, of course, be armed vvith guns ; and as they intended to use these, it would be a bad look-out for us, who, of course, could not fire at the poachers, unless in self-defence.

We considered it would be the better plan to find out when a deer was killed, then to track the poachers who carried off the animal, and obtain the aid of constables to secure them. No regular plans, however, could be made, because we did not know when and where the poachers might carry out their intentions. It was only a few days after our visit to the keeper's lodge that, as I was returning home one evening, I saw a thin column of smoke rising from some trees in a thick wood on the right of the Brockenhurst Road. There was no house at that place, and I knew no charcoal burners were there, so I could not account for the smoke. I therefore concealed myself among the ferns until it was too dark for anyone to see me, and then made my way through the forest : my know ledge of the ground enabling me to move in the proper direction, and my practice in stalking causing me to proceed without the slightest noise.

Having entered the wood I sat down to listen, and soon heard men's voices. I then knew exactly the direction in which the party were situated, and I now suspected that I had come upon the camp of the poachers, and was determined to examine this and obtain as much information as possible. Cutting some long and thick ferns, I tied these in a bundle, so that I could hold them in front of me, when no other cover was avail able ; and I then cautiously approached the fire, the light of which I could see among the trees. It required very careful creeping to move along without causing a dry branch or stick to crack. I knew I should receive a very unpleasant reception if I were caught spying on these poachers, but I liked the ex citement, and felt like some of the Indians in Cooper's novels. I managed to creep within about forty yards of the camp fire, and to secure a position behind a large beech-tree, where I could see five rough-looking men : they all possessed guns, and stout sticks, and were feasting on a deer, the remains of which hung on "The poachers were talking about where they would go for their next deer." — p. the branches of a thorn-bush near.

I thought, if I were really in the wilds of America how easily these men might be shot : they were so distinctly seen by the light of the fire, that a dead shot would be very easy, especially at so short a distance as I was from them. The poachers seemed to have no fear about being seen : they imagined, I supposed, that in the forest as they were, and distant from any house, they were not likely to be either heard, seen, or disturbed. They talked very loud, and I could hear every word they said. I could tell by the way they spoke, and the words they used, that they were not foresters, but were strangers to the locality. I was glad of this, because they could not know the forest as well as we did, and if it came to a chase through the woods, we, who knew every path and every bit of boggy and dan gerous ground, would have a great advantage.

The poachers were talking about where they would go to for their next deer, and they said that though venison was good to eat, yet they must kill enough not only to supply them with food but to sell and obtain some money. They then talked about the chances of meeting any of the keepers, and they seemed to be of opinion, that none of the keepers would really show fight when they saw five men armed with guns. I heard them say that on the following afternoon they would try to get some deer near Queen's Bower, as a herd were feeding in that neighbourhood. Having obtained all this information I had to consider how to make my escape. It was quite dark now, and the danger of cracking a stick was very great. I retreated in the shadow cast by the tree, and managed to get away without making any noise that could be heard by the poachers, who were talking and feasting.

When about a hundred yards from the camp fire, I moved quickly away, and reaching the more open parts of the forest soon came on a path, and starting off at a run, reached home, where my father was anxiously waiting for me. When I told my father where I had been, and the information I had gained, I saw his eyes sparkle, and he asked me if I did not feel afraid when I found myself within a few yards of these ruffians. " If I had been afraid," I replied, " I should not have gone there at all ; but I felt that it was a pleasant excitement." " Then you will do, my boy," said my father, "for when a man, alone, does anything of this sort he has plenty of pluck. When several men are together they keep up one another's courage, but it requires a man of courage to go single-handed into danger when no one is looking on."

We then talked about what was next to be done about catching the poachers on the morrow. Several plans were talked over, and we decided that we would go early on the morrow to the manager of the forest who lived at the Queen's House, Lyndhurst, and tell him what we had done, and heard, and ask his advice and assistance.

Chapter II. Queen's

Bower is situated about a mile-and-a-half from the village of Brackenhurst. It is one of the most beautiful and varied parts of the forest. Splen did beech and oak trees are scattered about at such a distance from each other that their branches just meet. Sturdy old thorn-bushes, covered with ivy and lichens, cover a portion of the ground. Two streams meet near a little old-fashioned bridge, and in these streams or on the banks the otter may frequently be seen, whilst herons select these streams for fishing. On the borders of Queen's Bower there is an open piece of country, covered with furze, where rabbits abound ; and here may be seen the largest bird of prey now in England, viz., the buzzard, which is fond of young rabbits for its meals. There was plenty of cover in this locality for anyone wishing to conceal himself, and it was most suitable for an ambush.

On the open plain beyond Queen's Bovver a herd of deer was grazing about half-an-hour before sunset on the afternoon of the day following that on which I had stalked the poachers' camp. Concealed among some tall ferns near the banks of the stream were my father and myself. On our right, and distant about a hundred yards, were Edwards the keeper and two constables. On our left, and at about the same dis tance, were three constables ; whilst in front of us, concealed in a beech-tree, were two keepers. We thus mustered ten men, at least I ventured to think myself as good as a man, as I had with me three bolts, with any one of which I could knock a man down without any difficulty. Our plans had been arranged that morning, and the constables had been called to our assistance. We had taken care to reach our present position by means of paths through the woods, so that we should not be seen by anyone.

We then concealed ourselves, and waited for what might occur. I was now very anxious, because it was on account of my information that all these preparations had been made ; and should the poachers not come, I feared that some people might think that I had mistaken what I had heard, or that the whole story was an invention of mine. We were not left long in doubt, as we next saw five men armed with guns come out of the plan tation ; and, after some conversation, four of these concealed themselves among some ferns and bushes near the bridge, whilst one moved quickly off across the open ground, so as to get round on the opposite side of the herd of deer. We could now see what their plan was. The man who had gone into the open was to drive the deer towards his companions near the bridge. There was only a narrow space there where the deer could pass ; so an easy and close shot could be obtained at them, and probably three or four deer would be killed by the first discharge.

The affair was arranged by the poachers with considerable skill, and showed they were by no means novices at their work. By peeping through the ferns we could see what was going on, and we saw that the deer had ceased feeding, and were moving slowly towards the ambush that had been prepared for them. We were afraid the deer might get wind of us, and break back instead of coming on to the bridge. This might have spoiled our plans, for we wished to surprise the poachers just when they had killed the deer. Our alarm however was needless, as the deer broke into a trot, and came past us without showing any sign of being aware of our presence. As the herd crossed the bridge, four shots were fired in quick succession ; and, when the herd had dashed off, four deer were seen struggling on the ground.

The poachers jumped out from their cover, having left their guns where they had been concealed ; and, drawing their long knives, quickly cut the throats of the struggling deer. Immediately the shots were fired and the poachers had run towards the deer, my father and I crept through the underwood to the spot where the guns lay ; and, seizing these, we found they were single-barrelled guns and had all been fired. We ran back with these, and dropped them in the water, so that they would not be of any use to the poachers if they found and tried to load them. My father had his gun, which was a double-barrelled and loaded with buck-shot ; so we did not fear the poachers, though they were armed vvith long knives. The poachers were busily engaged cleaning the deer, and did not seem to suspect any one was near — they had neither seen nor heard us ; so we advanced to within a few yards of them before they were aware of our presence.

They then heard us, and jumping to their feet began flourishing their knives, whilst one of the party shouted out, " If you don't want six inches of cold steel, you'd better be off." My father, who vvas very cool, replied, " You're fairly caught, and the first man who attempts to use a knife against me, will get a charge of buck-shot in him ; so you'd better drop your knives at once." Whilst this scene had been going on, I noticed that one of the men had slipped behind a bush, and had run to where the guns had been concealed. He soon saw that these had been removed ; so he came back, creeping up behind my father, his knife in his hand. When he was a few yards from my father he stood up, and was evidently preparing to close with him. Seizing one of my bolts by the light end, I hurled this at the man's head, If he had seen it coming, he might have dodged it ; but he vvas so intent on his murderous object that he had not noticed me ; and the bolt struck him on the head, and knocked him over just as if he had been nothing more than a rabbit.

The fall of their companion seemed to enrage the three other men, who, flourishing their knives, were preparing to close with us ; when Edwards and the constables, coming behind the poachers, seized them, and in an instant, had slipped handcuffs on them. The man I had knocked over vvas stunned and bleeding from a terrific cut in the head, so he could not walk. We had thus captured four out of five of the poachers, who had threatened to shoot anyone who interfered with them. We had consider able difficulty in conveying the poachers and the deer to Lyndhurst, but we managed it by getting two large carts from Brackenhurst, and putting the poachers two in each. It was nearly midnight before we reached Lyndhurst, and some hour or so after, before my father and I were in our Lodge. We sat up some time talking over the affair.

My father was very pleased at our success, and said that the magistrates would compliment me for the manner in which I had managed to discover the poachers' camp and to hear what their plans were. I was dis appointed that we had not succeeded in capturing the other poacher ; he, however, seeing the turn affairs had taken, had made off at once, and I thought it probable he would not show himself in the forest again. When the poachers were tried, I had to give my evidence ; and as I gave my account of how I had seen the fire of their camp, and had crept near enough to hear the plan for killing deer near Queen's Bovver, the people who were in court could scarcely be kept quiet, and even the magistrates showed signs of approval, whilst the poachers scowled at me, and the man I had knocked over, and whose head was bound up, shook his fist at me.

Whilst the trial was going on, I noticed a man among the crowd, whose face I thought I recognized : I fancied I had seen him at the poachers' camp-fire. Watching carefully, I saw glances exchanged between this man and the prisoners. I did not tell anyone of my suspicions, but took such a good look at the man, that I felt certain I should recognize him again wherever I saw him. The poachers received a very heavy punishment, as the police found out they were des perate characters, and had been previously convicted several times for various offences. When we returned home 1 told my father my sus picions about thc other poacher, but it would be difficult to get enough evidence to convict him, as thc other keepers had not seen him, nor had thc constables, on thc evening when we caught the other men.

It was two or three evenings after the trial, that 1 had been in Lyndhurst in the afternoon, and left the village just as it was getting dusk. I knew my way through thc forest so well that, even if it were quite dark, I could work my way among the trees where there was no path just as easily as though it were light Soon after I entered the forest, I fancied I heard footsteps following me ; and the noise made showed me that it vvas no regular forester, for one of these would walk without making as much noise as did the person whom I heard. I wondered what business anyone had in walking in the same direction that I was going at that time of night, when suddenly the idea came to me, that it might be the other poacher who was following me for revenge Now, as I vvas quick of foot and knew tlie forest well, I could easily have distanced my pursuer if I had Hked, and could have reached my home without a chance of being overtaken ; but I rather hoped I might be in for some adventure.

I did not see why anyone should follow me at that time in the evening unless he had some spite against me, and I did not think it likely that I should be followed by any person who knew me well ; because I had no enemies among the foresters, and it was so well known that I was very quick of foot and knew every inch of the forest, that it would have been of as much use to follow a hare, as to follow me with tlie hope of catching me. I made my plans as I walked on, and thought that my danger consisted in being shot from behind, in case I gave a chance to anyone who was armed with a gun. The parts of the forest through which I walked consisted of tall beech trees at some distance from each other : there was little or no underwood in these parts. So, as I walked, I endeavoured to keep the stems of the trees between me and the person who was following me.

When I was in the open parts of the forest, I jogged on, taking care not to run straight, but dodged from side to side, just as a snipe flies when he rises from the marsh. If in the dusk I was fired at, this movement would render hitting me rather difficult ; but after all I did not know that the man following me meant mischief or carried a gun ; but from reading " Deerslayer " and " The Last of the Mohicans," I had become like an Indian in my habits, and was not to be taken by surprise because I was unsuspicious. When I had passed through the more open parts of the forest, and came to where there was a good deal of underwood, I was within half-a-mile of my father's lodge, and I now thought it time to carry out my plans. The footsteps I still heard behind me, and several times the [person who was following me must have been within gunshot.

I had then rapidly increased my pace, so that I should not be overtaken : I thus kept well ahead of my pursuer. Finding a thick clump of underwood which was very dark, I suddenly stopped and crouched down, concealing my face with a dark handkerchief so that nothing white could attract attention. I had two bolts with me, and a large clasp-knife ; so I vvas a formidable antagonist to anyone who was not armed vvith a gun. I soon heard the footsteps approaching, and in the dim light I saw a man coming slowly up to the bush where I was concealed. When he had passed this bush a few feet he stopped and appeared to be listening. As he passed the bush I recognized the poacher whom I had seen in the court, and saw that he carried a gun. I knew now that he was bent on revenge, and that, if he saw me, there was but a poor chance for me, as he would shoot me* as though I were a dog.

For an instant I thought I had been reckless to incur such a risk, but knowing the advantage of surprise, and the poacher being only a few feet from me, and I behind him, I sprang up and struck him on the shoulder-joint with my bolt. I struck with all my strength, and I heard a snap as though a bone were broken. Had I struck the man on the head I should have killed him, but I did not think I vvas justified in doing this. As the man felt the blow he dropped his gun and reeled for an instant, and then fell. Seizing his gun I pointed it at him and said, " I know what you were after : now, if you move till I tell you, I'll blow your brains out." The man groaned with pain ; for, as I afterwards found out, I had broken the bones about the shoulder-joint, and the man's right arm was useless. I then told the man to get up and walk on in front of me, and to turn to the right or left as I told him.