296 THE WEASEL. 



woman so totally undone, by the unexpected dis- 

 charge of a spring-gun close to the spot where she 

 was standing, that the circumambient air suddenly 

 lost its wonted sweetness. Still, I did not conclude 

 that the occurrence, in either of these mishaps, took 

 place as a means of self-defence ; although circum- 

 stances were such, in the latter case, as might pos- 

 sibly have had the effect of keeping pursuers at a 

 respectful distance. 



I am a friend to the weasel, and to its congener 

 the polecat although I know that they will commit 

 depredations on game, whenever an opportunity 

 shall occur. Still, I consider that the havoc which 

 they make amongst mice and rats far overbalances 

 their transgressions against the game laws. 



About two years ago, the coachman brought me 

 a fine polecat alive in a box- trap, which we occa- 

 sionally set to arrest stranger cats when in pursuit 

 of forbidden food. Feeling no inclination to take 

 .its life, I ordered the door of the trap to be opened ; 

 and as the prisoner went its way into the wide 

 world again, I saw, by the marks of astonishment 

 which appeared upon the man's countenance, that I 

 had evidently done an evil deed. 



The country gentleman, the farmer, and the gar- 

 dener are particularly interested in having a true 

 account of the weasel ; in order that they may 

 ascertain how far it is their interest to protect it, 

 or to adopt measures for its destruction. 



The weasel is certainly capable of destroying our 

 common game, such as hares, pheasants, and par- 

 tridges; for the herculean formation of his fore 



