on his Manor, in as high Terms, and as bitter Language, as if his Houſe had been broken open, and the moſt valuable Furniture ſole out of it. He added, that ſome other Perſon was in his Company, tho’ he could not diſcover him: for that two Guns had been diſcharged almoſt in the ſame Inſtant. And, ſays he, “we have found only this Partridge, but the Lord knows what Miſchief they have done.”
At his Return home, Tom was preſently convened before Mr. Allworthy. He owned the Fact, and alledged no other Excuſe but what was really true, viz. that the Covey was originally ſprung in Mr. Allworthy’s own Manor.
Tom was then interrogated who was with him, which Mr. Allworthy declared he was reſolved to know, acquainting the Culprit with the Circumſtance of the two Guns, which had been depoſed by the Squire and both his Servants; but Tom ſtoutly perſiſted in aſſerting he was alone; yet , to ſay the Truth, he heſitated a little at firſt, which would have confirmed Mr. Allworthy’s Belief, had what the Squire and his Servants ſaid, wanted any further Confirmation.
The
