48 FARMING IT 



it with a grip of steel, while the box with its entire 

 weight swung to and fro. Then, opening the box 

 and allowing two to fasten their jaws to a piece 

 of meat, he took one by the tail and swung them 

 both over his head without loosening their grip. 

 He handled them like kittens without any dan- 

 ger, and assured me they were well trained and 

 harmless, but cautioned me against handling 

 them when they were fastened to their natural 

 prey, the rat. 



I was convinced, and bought a pair. I was 

 doubtful w r hether or not I should choose a sort 

 of sorrel and a black, but finally decided on a 

 roan with gray mane and tail, and a buckskin 

 with red eyes, had them safely wired in a box, 

 and took the next train back. 



I could scarcely wait for the train to arrive at 

 my station, so anxious was I to try the skill of 

 my new purchase ; and as soon as I removed my 

 overcoat, I put for the henhouse, opened the box, 

 and turned the ferrets down the rat-hole, which, 

 in my absence, had been widened materially, 

 and in they went. 



No sooner had they disappeared than a sharp 

 squealing w r as heard far down in the bowels of 

 the earth, and in a moment the hole appeared to 

 boil over with rats. One gray - whiskered old 

 fellow started to climb over me, and gave me a 

 horrible fright, but I shook him off and killed him 



