Auto-da-fe of A nimals. 141 



what it can seize. The flames blacken and scorch the 

 firs and trees on the edge of the wood, and the marks 

 of their passage are not obliterated for years. 



Apart from the torture of animals, the damage to 

 sport — both hunting and shooting — is immense, and 

 takes long to remedy ; for although furze and fern 

 soon shoot again, yet animal life is not so quickly re- 

 paired. Sometimes a few sheep wandering from the 

 downs are roasted alive in this manner ; and one or 

 more dogs from the crowd watching are sure to run 

 into the flames, which seem to exercise a fascination 

 over some canine minds. The keeper's wrath bubbles 

 up years afterwards as he recalls the scene, and it 

 would not be well for the incendiary if he fell into his 

 hands. But the mischief can be so easily done that it 

 is rarely these rascals are captured. 



