244 BADGER-HUNTING 



will announce, with airs of superior humanity, 

 that digging out a badger is too brutal a 

 sport for him. Why, there is no com- 

 parison ! In a properly managed badger 

 digging there is no cruelty whatever. The 

 badger is taken without so much as a 

 scratch, and the terriers consider their 

 pleasure cheaply purchased when they have 

 the misfortune to get a kiss on the face 

 from a badger. No man wishes to have 

 a good terrier mauled, and such men as 

 enjoy taking the badger are always ready 

 to bear their own share of risk of punish- 

 ment and exertion in securing the prize. 

 To dig out a badger in a strong "set," 

 requires great and continuous exertion, 

 considerable knowledge and skill in the 

 pursuit, and a well-trained and trustworthy 



