68 GUN, RIFLE, AND HOUND. 



dachshunds, Hansl and Peter, in leash, and eagerly 

 straining to be free. 



"It took us nearly an hour to reach the earth which 

 the forester declared the badger was using. It was 

 situated under an old tree-stump in the midst of a thick 

 plantation of young firs. The dogs were loosed and 

 darted with weasel-like rapidity into the hole.* Beside 

 it were a couple more holes, which we stopped in case 

 of a bolt, and then the digging tools were got ready. 



" Now the sound of subterranean barking became 

 distinctly audible. We listened intently with our ears 

 close to the ground. It was obvious that the sounds 

 came from an immense depth, and the keeper's face 

 showed that this wouldn't do at all. The barking 

 increased and decreased by turns, and occasional yelps 

 of wrath and pain showed that the conflict was not 

 confined to mere verbal demonstrations. 



" At last there were sounds of rapid movements, 

 and the cry of the dogs, which had been temporarily 

 interrupted, broke out doubly loud and evidently much 

 nearer to us, and again the sounds showed that the 

 badger was at bay. Now the forester's face was 

 wreathed in smiles, and he gave the order to com- 

 mence work. The stump gave some trouble, but, half- 

 rotted as it was, it soon had to yield to the mighty 

 blows of the woodmen. As soon as it was thrown on 

 one side the work went on merrily. 



* The practice of slipping two dogs into a hole together is, 

 nevertheless, rightly condemned by the best authorities. The pre- 

 sence of the hindermost prevents the foremost from retiring before 

 the badger's charges. Snaffle. 



