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CHAPTER IV. 



What do you say, boys ? Shall we drop 

 this and have a day's outdoor practice ? To 

 tell the truth, I don't think much of book- 

 learning, especially if the book is written by 

 myself; but I do believe in practice. Come 

 along ! It is the middle of October— just the 

 nicest time of the year and the very best for 

 ratting, for the vermin are yet out in the 

 hedges, fine and strong from feeding in the 

 corn, and with few young ones about. Come, 

 Jack, we'll get the ferrets first; and off I go 

 with the boy to the hutch, while the dogs in 

 the kennel, having heard our steps and 

 perfectly understanding what is up, bark and 

 yap at the door, jump over each other, 

 tumble and topple about like mad fiends. 



F Z 



