A Ratting Match. 39 



where he went to at last ; I know I sold him to Captain 

 White, in Yorkshire. I had at that time a badger, not 

 a semi-domesticated chap, 331b. weight, that took some 

 doing. Tartar was a ripper at a badger — a good 'un, 

 and no mistake, and as silent as the badger himself, 

 but a very nervous dog, and if there was any shouting 

 he trembled ; some thought it cowardice — once to my 

 sorrow. A tradesman in Nottingham had a dog he 

 thought a rat killer. I matched Tartar for £10, the 

 loser to pay all expenses. And at the Rose and Thistle, 

 Parliament Street, Nottingham, this match came off, at 

 fifty rats, Tartar to give the other dog fifteen. Jack Terry 

 handled my dog, and Andrew Marsden, who had fought 

 for the pugilistic championship, the other dog. My dog 

 was winning in a common trot, but the roughs began 

 to shout, and out of the pit jumped Tartar ; he ran into 

 the street, and before I caught him lost the match. I 

 could say to Tartar, ( Kill that cat,' and it was done at once ; 

 he was a terrible enemy to the feline race. He once went 

 up my kitchen chimney after one, when a good fire was 

 burning." 



The following letter, written by the late Rev. J. Russell 

 to Mr. Wootton, as to the gameness of Jock and Tartar, 

 may not be without interest. — " Dennington, Barnstaple, 

 March 13th, 1867. My Dear Sir, — I have put one bitch 

 to Jock, and shall put another, though she is only nine 

 months old — a rather precocious young lady, you will say 

 — to-morrow or next day ; and Lord Portsmouth's hunts- 

 man will send one to him on Saturday. I gave him this 

 bitch — she is seven years old — and of my purest blood, 

 and I hope she may not miss. I never saw a sweeter 

 animal than Jock, so perfect in shape, with so much 



