362 



THE WEASEL. 



antagonist in its unyielding grasp, which is never relaxed as long as a spark of life is 

 left. 



In these mortal contests, the Weasel has a considerable advantage in its long and 

 powerful neck, which can be twisted with a most snake-like ease, and which gives the 

 possessor a very serpentine aspect on occasions. 



Like the polecat, and others of the same group of animals, the Weasel is most 

 destructive in its nature, killing many more animals than it can devour, simply for the 

 mere pleasure of killing. It is curious to notice how the savage mind, whether it 

 belong to man or beast, actually revels in destruction, is maddened to absolute frenzy 

 by the sight of blood, and is urged by a kind of fiery delirium to kill and to pour out the 

 vital fluid. Soldiers in the heat of action have often declared that everything which 

 they saw was charged with a blood-red hue, but that the details of the conflict had 

 entirely passed from their minds. A single Weasel, urged by some such destructive 

 spirit, has been known to make its way into a cage full of freshly-caught song-birds, 

 and to destroy every single bird. The little assassin was discovered lying quite at its 

 ease in a corner of the cage, surrounded with the dead bodies of its victims. The 

 angry bird-catchers sought at once for a stone wherewith to avenge themselves of the 

 destroyer, but before they could procure a weapon, the Weasel glided through one of 

 the little holes through which the birds obtain access to the water, and was speedily 

 concealed in a hedge beyond hope of discovery. 



Even such large animals as hares have been said to fall victims to the Weasel. But 

 it must be borne in mind that in many parts of Great Britain the stoat goes by the 

 title of Weasel, and under that name obtains the credit for many of the achievements 

 which ought to have been attributed to the rightful perpetrator. It is said to kill and 

 eat moles, and this idea is strengthened by the fact that Weasels have more than once 

 been captured in mole-traps. These unfortunate animals were evidently snared in the 

 act of traversing the same passages as the mole, but whether their object was the 

 slaughter of the original excavators is not clearly ascertained. 



The exceeding audacity of the Weasel has been already mentioned, and for proofs of 

 this disposition the following anecdotes are cited. 



Two gentlemen were riding in the vicinity of Cheltenham, one of whom dismounted 

 in order to inspect some cattle in a field, leaving his horse in the charge of his com- 

 panion. Presently, a Weasel came out of the neighboring hedge, and fastened on the 

 fetlock of one of the horses, grasping so firmly that it would not loosen its hold until 

 it had been crushed under foot by the owner of the horse. Some little while ago, a 

 party of Weasels were seized with an idea that they must prevent any one from passing 

 near their habitation. A boy, who was obliged in his way homewards to pass very 

 close to the prohibited spot, was actually chased away several times by the " futterits," 

 as he called them, and dared not oppose the fierce little creatures. A carrier happen- 

 ing to come in the direction, accompanied the boy to the spot, and was immediately 

 attacked by the Weasels. A few sharp blows from his whip laid the principal assail- 

 ants dead at his feet, and the others, seeing the fate of their comrades, left the field to 

 their conquerors. 



There are many similar anecdotes extant, which are easily believed by those who 

 have seen the consummate assurance with which a party of Weasels will run from 

 their habitations and inspect a passing traveller. In a certain hedge, near Ashborn, in 

 Derbyshire, was a well-known spot whence Weasels were accustomed to emerge in, 

 some numbers, and to run across the path with entire indifference to the passengers. 



At all times the Weasels are sufficiently precarious in their temper, and extremely apt 

 to take offence ; but when a mother Weasel imagines that her little ones are likely to be 

 endangered by man or beast, she becomes a really dangerous opponent. Even so small an 

 animal is capable of inflicting a very severe bite, and when she is urged by the desperate 

 courage which is implanted in the breast of every mother, is not unlikely to succeed in 

 her object before she is repelled. Moreover, she does not trust to her sole efforts, but 

 summons to her assistance the inhabitants of the same little community, and with their 

 aid will drive away an unarmed man from the neighborhood of their habitations. Several 

 such instances are on record, in one of which a powerful man was so fatigued with his 



