I20 Studies in Rat Catching, [ch. vii. 



As we worked round a big field, we got 

 into softer ground, a red sand and soil mixed ; 

 and here the holes were much deeper and 

 often ran through the bank and out for yards 

 under ground into the next field. Here Jack 

 and I changed places. Jack doing the ferret- 

 ing, and I going to his side with the garden 

 spade. One, two, three, four, five yards the 

 ferret went and stopped, and all was quiet. 

 I listen, but not a sound. Jack pulls gently 

 on the line and finds it tight, and for a 

 minute we wait, hoping a rabbit may bolt 

 from the hole the ferret went in at. But no 

 such luck. I take the small ratting-spade, 

 and with the spike end feel into the ground 

 at the foot of the bank, and at once come 

 upon the hole ; this I open out and clear of 

 earth, and Jack, who has crept through the 

 hedge, kneels down and finds the line 

 passing this hole in the direction of the field 

 and going downwards. At that moment 



