362 THE WEASEL 
antagonist in its unyielding grasp, which is never relaxed as long as a spark of life 
is left, 
In these mortal contests, the Weasel has a considerable advantage in its long and 
powerful neck, which can be twisted with a most snake-like ease, and which gives the 
possessor a very serpentine pata on occasions. 
Like the polecat, and others of the same group of animals, the Weasel is most 
destructive in its nature, killing many more animals than it can devour, simply for the 
mere pleasure of killing. It is curious to notice how the savage mind, whether it 
belong to man or beast, actually revels in destruction, is maddened to absolute frenzy 
by the sight of blood, and is urged by a kind of fiery delirium to kill and to pour out the 
vital fluid. Soldiers in the heat of action have often declared that everything which they 
saw was charged with a blood-red hue, but that the details of the conflict ‘had entirely 
passed from their minds. A sinele Weasel, urged by some such destructive spirit, has been 
known to make its way into a cage full of freshly-caught song-birds, and to destroy every 
single bird. The little assassin was discovered lying quite at its ease in a corner of the 
sage, Surrounded with the dead bodies of its victims. The angry bird-catchers sought at 
once for a stone wherewith to avenge themselves of the destroyer, but before they ‘could 
procure a weapon, the Weasel glided through one of the little holes through which the 
birds obtain access to the water, and was speedily concealed in a hedge beyond hope of 
discovery. 
Even such large animals as hares have been said to fall victims to the Weasel. But 
it must be borne in mind that in many parts of Great Britain the stoat goes by the title 
of Weasel, and under that name obtains the credit for many of the achievements which 
ought to have been attributed to the rightful perpetrator. It is said to kill and eat moles, 
and this idea is strengthened by the fact that Weasels have more than once been 
captured in mole-traps. These unfortunate animals were evidently snared in the act of 
traversing the same passages as the mole, but whether their object was the slaughter of 
the original excavators is not clearly ascertained. 
The exceeding audacity of the Weasel has been already mentioned, and for proofs of 
this disposition the following anecdotes are cited. 
Two gentlemen were riding in the vicinity of Cheltenham, one of whom dismounted 
in order to inspect some cattle im a field, leaving his horse in the charge of his companion. 
Presently, a Weasel came out of the neighbouring hedge, and fastened on the fetlock of 
one of the horses, grasping so firmly that it would not loosen its hold until it had been 
crushed under foot by the owner of the horse. Some little while ago, a party of Weasels 
were seized with an idea that they must prevent any one from passing near their 
habitation. A boy, who was obliged in his way homewards to pass very close to the 
prohibited spot, was actually chased away several times by the “futterits,” as he called 
them, and dared not oppose the fierce little creatures. A carrier happening to come in 
the direction, accompanied the boy to the spot, and was immediately attacked by the 
Weasels. A few sharp blows from his whip laid the principal assailants dead at his feet, 
and the others, seeing the fate of their comrades, left the field to their conquerors. 
There are many similar anecdotes extant, which are easily believed by those who have 
seen the consummate assurance with which a party of Weasels will run from their 
habitations and inspect a passing traveller. In a certaim hedge, near Ashborn, in 
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Derbyshire, was a well-known spot whence Weasels were acc ustomed to emerge im some 
numbers, and to run across the path with entire indifference to the passengers. 
At all times the Weasels are sufficiently precarious in their temper, and extremely apt 
to take offence ; but when a mother Weasel imagines that her little ones are likely to be 
endangered by man or beast, she becomes a really dangerous opponent. Even so small an 
animal is capable of inflic ‘ting a very severe bite, and “when she is urged by the desperate 
courage which is implanted in the breast of every mother, is not unlikely to succeed in 
her objec t before she is repelled. Moreover, she does not trust to her sole efforts, but 
summons to her assistance the inhabitants of the same little community, and with their 
aid will drive away an unarmed man from the neighbourhood of their habitations. Several 
such instances are on record, in one of which a powerful man was so fatigued with his 
