THE BADGER 



terranean fortress when mine and counter- 

 mine, tunnel, shaft, and trench have driven 

 him fighting to his last stand in his deepest 

 and innermost citadel, and he has been 

 forced to capitulate I have never abandoned 

 him to a victorious soldiery howling for 

 blood, but have always given him honourable 

 terms. I have never willingly or wantonly 

 killed a badger ; he has invariably become 

 a pampered prisoner, or been transported to 

 some new home, where some one whom I 

 had interested in his species was prepared to 

 give him protection, and a new start in life. 

 Among those who have given my badgers 

 protection I may name Mr. Edward North 

 Buxton, who has done so much to maintain 

 the natural beauty of Epping Forest, and to 

 protect wild life within its borders. I know 

 of several thriving colonies of badgers within 

 the forest precincts descended from my 

 prisoners of war. 



I have kept many badgers in confinement, 

 but never to " try " my dogs, and all my 

 terriers learnt their trade in legitimate 

 fashion. Badger-baiting I unreservedly con- 



