LETTER XXI. 231 



a bag at his back he carries a net about five feet high, 

 with large meshes, so as to admit a fox's head to pass 

 through them ; in his pocket a few horse bells, which, 

 when the net is set up, are tied on to it at certain dis- 

 tances. A low-legged terrier is his companion, and with a 

 small spade or trowel in his shooting jacket pocket, he 

 sets out upon his errand. Upon dark nights he has a 

 small bull's-eye lanthorn also. 



Arrived at the spot he examines the earths, and if 

 stopped, immediately opens them with his spade or 

 trowel. He then cuts some sticks, and sets up the net, 

 with himself and dog inside the enclosure, and having 

 attached the bells, proceeds to business. He first tries 

 his dog, which, if the earth is not very deep, will often 

 bolt the fox without further trouble. Should the place, 

 however, prove a very stronghold, the dog, if unable to 

 bolt the fox, will return to his master. They then lie 

 down together on the sack to the windward side of the 

 earths, and there pass the night. Sometimes the fox 

 will not come at all to the mouth of the earth during the 

 first night after he has been hunted. The poacher then 

 stops the earths again early in the morning before day- 

 light, and removes with his dog and nets to some con- 

 venient spot, from whence he may watch if any one visits 

 the earth. In the evening he again returns, and having 

 set up his net, prepares for another few hours' watch. 

 At the turn of the night the fox generally makes his 

 rush from the earth, and into the net ; in a moment 

 master and dog are upon him, being guided by the bells, 

 even in the darkest night. The sack is thrown over the 

 fox to prevent his biting ; the poacher then feels for his 

 head, and running his right hand under the sack, catches 



