THE HARE AND ITS WAYS 47 



I was forced to defend myself with a pair of thick 

 gloves. 



" Then followed a series of boxing matches, the 

 assaults upon me frequently lasting several minutes, 

 with periodical rests, when they would retreat to a 

 corner, regain their wind, and attack me again more 

 savagely than before. When completely beaten, they 

 would let me stroke them and lick my hand as usual, 

 and be friends again. 



" One of these hares is now a most engaging animal, 

 knows me perfectly, and will jump up on to my knee, 

 climb up and kiss me when told, sit up and beg, jump 

 through a hoop, and shake hands, always giving the 

 right paw. It will also seek its food when I hide it, 

 and does all in its power to show its affection for me. 

 It lives in the house, is loose all day, and thoroughly 

 enjoys a good roll on the rug, where it frequently lies 

 stretched full length before the fire. It also plays 

 with two retriever dogs, of whom it has no fear what- 

 ever, and often lies between them while asleep. I 

 am sorry to say that the gardener let its companion 

 escape one day during my absence. 



" In the early part of last December I received 

 two full-grown wild hares from Norfolk, and I was 

 anxious to discover if it was possible to tame and 

 train them. They sulked for a week, eating little, 

 but I kept them near me, and by degrees tamed them, 

 teaching them to feed from my hand, come to me when 

 called, and sit quietly on my shoulder while I carried 

 them about. 



" Then, as with the others, when all fear of me 

 had left them, the real trouble commenced ; they 

 flew at me, biting and scratching, and making that 

 grunting and 'hissing' sound already! mentioned. 

 Very slowly, almost despairingly so, we made friends ; 



