A Curious ' Turnpike' 35 



very strong scent. The stick that has been carried 

 in the hand must not be allowed to fall across the 

 run : and be careful that your handkerchief does not 

 drop out of your pocket on or near it. If a bunch of 

 grass grows very tall and requires parting, part it with 

 the end (not the handle) of your stick. 



The same holds good with gins, especially if placed 

 for a rat. Some persons strew a little freshly plucked 

 grass over the pan and teeth of the trap, thinking to 

 hide it ; but it not only smells of the hand, but 

 withers up and turns brown, and acts as a warning to 

 that wary creature. It is a better plan if any dead 

 leaves are lying near to turn them over and over with 

 the end of a twig till they fall on the trap, that is if 

 they are dry : if wet (unless actually raining at the 

 time), should one chance to be left with the drier under 

 surface uppermost, the rat may pause on the brink. 



Now that the remotest chance of leaving a scent 

 was avoided the wire became a deadly instrument. 

 Almost every morning two or three rabbits were 

 taken : we set up a dozen snares when we had 

 mastered the trick. They were found lying at full 

 length in the crisp white grass, for we often rose to 

 visit the. wires while yet the stars were visible. Thus 

 extended a person might have passed within a few 

 yards and never noticed them, unless he had an out- 



