The Burrow 



We lower the supporting shelf still more 

 and employ the spade again. When the rub- 

 bish is removed, the excavation is more than 

 three feet deep. Are we there at last? 

 Not at all : the terrible reed dives still lower 

 down. Let us sink the ledge again and con- 

 tinue. Perseverance is rewarded. At four 

 feet and a half, the reed touches the ob- 

 stacle; it goes no farther. Victory! The 

 task is done: we have reached the Mino- 

 taur's chamber. 



The pocket-trowel discreetly lays it bare 

 and the occupants appear: first the male, 

 and, a little lower down, the female. 

 When the couple are removed, a dark, cir- 

 cular patch is seen: this is the top of the 

 column of provisions. Let us be careful : 

 dig gently! What we have to do is to cut 

 away the central clod at the bottom of the 

 pit, to separate it from the surrounding 

 earth and then, slipping the trowel under- 

 neath and using it as a lever, to extract the 

 block all in a lump. There ! That's done ! 

 We have the couple and their nest. A 

 morning of arduous digging has procured us 

 these treasures: Paul's broiling back can tell 

 us at the cost of what efforts. 



This depth of nearly five feet is not and 

 89 



