This last, not being so easily disposed of, was traced to his possession and procured him a sound thrashing.  Some short time afterwards a carthorse was found in the fields stabbed in several places, though, fortunately, not severely.  Having already the bad name that hangs the dog, he was strongly suspected of this dastardly act in revenge for the thrashing from the carter, and threat of dismissal from the employer.  No evidence, however, could be procured, and though he was sent about his business he escaped punishment.  As he grew older he fell in with a tribe of semi-gipsies, and wandered in their company for a year or two, learning their petty pilfering tricks.  He then returned to agriculture labour, and, notwithstanding the ill-flavour that clung about his doings, found no difficulty in obtaining employment.

It is rare in agriculture for a man to be asked much about his character, unless he is to be put into a position of some trust.  In trades and factories—­on railways, too—­an applicant for employment is not only questioned, but has to produce evidence as to his immediate antecedents at least.  But the custom in farming prescribes no such checks; if the farmer requires a man, the applicant is put on to work at once, if he looks at all likely.  This is especially the case in times of pressure, as when there is a great deal of hoeing to be done, in harvest, and when extra hands are wanted to assist in feeding the threshing machine.  Then the first that comes along the road is received, and scarcely a question asked.  The custom operates well enough in one way, since a man is nearly sure of procuring employment, and encounters no obstacles; on the other hand, there is less encouragement to preserve a good character.  So the fellow mentioned quickly got work when he applied for it, and went on pretty steadily for a period.  He then married, and speedily discovered the true use of women—­i.e. to work for idle men.  The moment he learnt that he could subsist upon her labour he ceased to make any effort, and passed his time lounging about.

The wife, though neither handsome nor clever, was a hard-working person, and supported herself and idle husband by taking in washing.  Indignation has often been expressed at the moral code of savages, which permits the man to lie in his hammock while the woman cultivates the maize; but, excepting the difference in the colour of the skin, the substitution of dirty white for coppery redness, there is really no distinction.  Probably washing is of the two harder work than hoeing maize.  The fellow ’hung about,’ and doubtless occasionally put in practice the tricks he had acquired from his nomad friends.