THE MOLE. 339 



While thus employed, its whole faculties are so entirely absorbed in its thirst for revenge, 

 that it will leave the subterraneous shafts which it has been excavating, and join battle with 

 its foe in the full light of day. Should one of the combatants overpower and kill the other, 

 the victorious Mole springs upon the enemy, tears its body open, and plunging its nose into 

 the wound, drinks the blood of its foe, and feasts richly on the sanguine banquet. 



Such a combat was lately witnessed by one of my friends, who kindly wrote the account 

 of the proceeding, and of the fate of one of the combatants. 



"During a fine autumn afternoon, I was taking a walk in some woods, and had reached a 

 very retired part of the path, when I suddenly heard a considerable scrambling amongst the 

 dried leaves and underwood. Upon stooping to obtain a view of whatever might be causing 

 the disturbance, I caught sight of two little black creatures engaged in fierce combat. They 

 tumbled over one another, and were so much concealed by the leaves that they could not be 

 easily distinguished. 



" Scarcely had I obtained this view of the combatants than one of them began to retreat, 

 and was quickly followed by his opponent. Seeing the direction in which they were running, 

 I made way through the briars as quickly as possible, and placed myself directly in the path 

 of the creatures. They came on quite unconscious of my presence, and dodged about within 

 a few feet of me. I could now perceive that the creatures were either Moles or rats, and 

 determined, whichever they might be, to capture one or both. 



"Disregarding the thorns and thistles, I jumped through the underwood, and was then 

 close to the animals, which immediately ceased their personal quarrel, and began sinking in 

 a most ghost-like manner into the soil. This proceeding showed me that they were Moles. 



"Not being particularly acquainted with the arrangement of the Mole's teeth, or with 

 its disposition, I did not venture to take hold of either creature with my hand, but being 

 anxious to effect a capture, I caught hold of the tail of one of the little fellows, and with 

 the help of a sharp tug I pulled him out of the ground, and gave him an aerial voyage. 



" He came to the ground without any apparent injury, and again began busily sinking a 

 shaft. This time the back looked so very inviting, that I seized him by the short fur upon 

 that portion of his body, and then found that I had him quite secure. He appeared very 

 philosophical under the circumstances, and did not perform any unnecessary contortions, 

 having very soon discovered that he was a safe prisoner. The next proceeding was to place 

 him in my handkerchief, and to discover whether he could, either by his teeth or claws, make 

 his way through the silk. No sooner was he suspended in this impromptu prison than he 

 tried his utmost to work his way through the walls, but the silk yielded to him and would 

 not open. A minute's exertion appeared to satisfy him, after which he laid himself calmly 

 down. Having been occupied for some little time with this creature, I then sought after his 

 companion, which had, however, effected his subterranean retreat, and was probably two feet 

 beneath the surface. 



" My prisoner was conveyed in safety to my domicile, and was placed in a large tub, over 

 which for security a board was placed, and in which was some earth. The little gentleman 

 was quite at home in his tub, and enjoyed himself amazingly with a 'Diet of Worms.' To 

 supply him, however, with this luxury was not an easy task; half an hour's digging in a 

 yielding soil brought to light scarcely a sufficient quantity of food for one day's consumption. 

 Small worms of about two inches in length were quickly disposed of ; whilst fine long ones 

 were put out of sight in two meals. After feasting upon half a dozen or so, the Mole would 

 look very much like a boy full of pudding, and appeared to take a little doze. No sooner, 

 however, did a worm give him a flap on the nose with its tail than he awoke, and, with 

 renewed vigor and appetite, demolished half a dozen more victims, when he would again sub- 

 side into a quiet slumber. 



"He lived in great ease and luxury during three days, at the end of which time he met 

 an untimely end. The board upon his tub was accidentally knocked off by an awkward man, 

 who forgot or neglected to replace it. A sly old tom-cat saw the Mole, and impelled by his 

 own organ of destructiveness, killed, but would not eat our hero." 



