424 A CAPTIVE MOLE. 
“During a fine autumn afternoon, I was taking a walk in some woods near Shooter's 
Hill, and had reached a very retired part of the path, when I suddenly heard a con- 
siderable 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 possib le, 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 per ‘sonal quarrel, and began sinking 
in a most ghostlike 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 
aérial 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 unde the circumstances, and did not perform any 
unnecessary contortions, having very soon discovered that he was a safe prisoner. The 
next mG eeding 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 i in this impromptu prison than he tried his utmost to work his way through the 
walls, but the sill 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 
houwr’s digging in a yielding soil brought to ight 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 vigour and appetite, demolished half 
a dozen more victims, when he would again subside into a qwiet 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.” 
The cause of this curious combat was probably at no great distance, in the shape of 
a female Mole, for whose favour the two animals were so fiercely fighting. The Mole 
pursues its intended mate with extraordinary zeal and perseverance ; and as the number 
of males is considerably greater than that of females, it seldom happens that a Mole 
succeeds in winning his bride until he has gained her in battle. So furious are all the 
passions of the Mole, that we may think ourselves fortunate that the creature is so 
small; for if it were as large as a tiger it would be by far the more formidable animal. 
Even with its lunited capability, it has more than once proved itself a dangerous 
