66 WOODLAND, MOOR, AND STREAM 



The best laid plans do not succeed always, how- 

 ever, as is proved in this case. Nearer and nearer 

 comes the sound of pattering feet at full speed, and 

 behind that the heavy tread of a man who is putting 

 his best foot foremost. Nearer they come ; they will 

 break into the moonlight in another moment ; we can 

 hear them pant, for they have run him through the 

 cover at top speed. The lad is ready to dash down 

 into the hollow in fact, he has already moved to 

 do so, when the sound of running feet stops dead ; 

 and then, in the thicket, a desperate tearing scuffle is 

 heard going on, for Ginger and Nipper have run into 

 and closed with him before he could reach home. 



The sounds make Jim wild with excitement, and 

 he shouts his loudest to the keeper, who is now close 

 at hand and puffing like a steam-engine with running 

 so hard. 



' Can't ye git a badger in a sack without hollerin' 

 like murder ? ' he asks angrily. c I'm a good 

 mind ' 



What he'd a good mind to did not transpire, for 

 the boy yelled out, * I ain't got him ; they'se got him ; 

 don't ye hear 'em worryin' of him ? ' 



Making use of some very strong expressions, such 

 as he would not make use of at a chapel tea-meeting, 

 the keeper dashes into the thicket, followed by Jim ; 



