3 i8 WINTER FERRETING 



oak, the leafless twigs forming a lace work against the 

 sky, with a straggling hedge in front and a bramble- 

 grown ditch beyond. The burrow dates from days 

 immemorial ; some of the holes have been enlarged 

 by the colony of badgers that take up their quarters 

 there from time to time ; and the outlets are so many, 

 and in such unlikely spots, that any attempt at a 

 systematic blockade is impracticable. Dramatis 

 persons : a couple of guns standing back to back 

 under the oak ; two others, similarly posted in the 

 field beyond the ditch ; three keepers bending in 

 varied attitudes over the burrow, previous to rushing 

 towards the stem of the oak to bestow themselves 

 out of the way ; three ferrets who have disappeared 

 in the bowels of the earth ; a couple of veteran terriers, 

 their heads twisted on one side, almost to the disloca- 

 tion of their necks, and each nerve in their bodies 

 quivering with excitement ; with as many retrievers 

 that are scarcely less interested, though they do their 

 best to keep up some dignity of deportment. So far as 

 the mere ferreting goes, the terriers, Spice and Ginger, 

 had better have been left at home, since they are more 

 likely to tumble into the way than not. But they are 

 useful in hunting out a ditch or a hedge-bottom ; and a 

 miss here and there is of little consequence. Conticuere 

 omnes; intentique or a tenebant. The tails of the ferrets 

 have been deliberately dragged out of sight ; and all is 

 silence in the meantime. 



But as we feel, it is the ominous silence that heralds 

 earthquakes and convulsions of nature. There is a faint 



