CHAP. vi. FIGHT WITH BADGERS. 103 



forward ; the "badgers suddenly turned and made for 

 the river alongside of which his beat had extended. 

 He wrapped a handkerchief round his hand to prevent 

 the animals biting him, threw off his hat, and bolted 

 after the badgers. He was gaining on them rapidly, 

 and as he came up with the last, which was bolting 

 down into the river, he gave it a tremendous kick ; 

 but, in doing so, he fell suddenly flat on his back in 

 the midst of the path. When he came to himself he 

 began to feel if his legs were broken, or if his head 

 were still on. Yes, all was right ; but, on searching, 

 he found a tremendous bump upon the back of his 

 head, as big as a turkey's egg. 



Such was the end of his night's moth-hunting. 

 But his head was so full of badgers, and he was so 

 confused with his fall, that when he reached home and 

 went to sleep, he got up shortly afterwards, loaded his 

 gun for the purpose of shooting a badger, and, as he 

 was in the act of putting a cap on the nipple, he 

 suddenly awoke ! 



