424 



THE CAPTIVE MOLE. 



" During a fine autumn afternoon, I was taking a walk in some woods near Shooter's 

 Hill, and had reached a very retired part of the path, when I suddenly heard a con- 

 siderable scrambling amongst the dried leaves and underwood. Upon stooping to obtain 

 a view of whatever might be causing the disturbance, I caught sight of two little black 

 creatures engaged in fierce combat. They tumbled over one another, and were so much 

 concealed by the leaves that they could not be easily distinguished. Scarcely had I 

 obtained this view of the combatants than one of them began to retreat, and was quickly 

 followed by his opponent. Seeing the direction in which they were running, I made 

 my way through the briars as quickly as possible, and placed myself directly in the path 

 of the creatures. They came on quite unconscious of my presence, and dodged about 

 within a few feet of me. I could now perceive that the creatures were either Moles or 

 rats, and determined, whichever they might be, to capture one or both. 



Disregarding the thorns and thistles, I jumped through the underwood, and was then 

 close to the animals, which immediately ceased their personal quarrel, and began sink- 

 ing in a most ghostlike manner into the soil. This proceeding showed me that they 

 were Moles. Not being particularly acquainted with the arrangement of the Mole's 

 teeth, or with its disposition, I did not venture to take hold of either creature with my 

 hand, but being anxious to effect a capture, I caught hold of the tail of one of the little 

 fellows, and with the help of a sharp tug I pulled him out of the ground, and gave 

 him an aerial voyage. 



He came to the ground without any apparent injury, and again began busily sinking 

 a shaft. This time the back looked so very inviting that I seized him by the short fur 

 upon that portion of his body, and then found that I had him quite secure. He 

 appeared very philosophical under the circumstances, and did not perform any 

 unnecessary contortions, having very soon discovered that he was a safe prisoner. The 

 next proceeding was to place him in my handkerchief, and to discover whether he could, 

 either by his teeth or claws, make his way through the silk. No sooner was he 

 suspended in this impromptu prison than he tried his utmost to work his way through the 

 walls, but the silk yielded to him and would not open. A minute's exertion appeared to 

 satisfy him, after which he laid himself calmly down. Having been occupied for 

 some little time with this creature, I then sought after his companion, which had, 

 however, effected his subterranean retreat, and was probably two feet beneath the 

 surface. 



My prisoner was conveyed in safety to my domicile, and was placed in a large tub, 

 over which for security a board was placed, and in which was some earth. The little 

 gentleman was quite at home in his tub, and enjoyed himself amazingly with a * Diet of 

 Worms.' To supply him, however, with this luxury was not an easy task ; half an 

 hour's digging in a yielding soil brought to light scarcely a sufficient quantity of food for 

 one day's consumption. Small worms of about two inches in length were quickly 

 disposed of ; whilst fine long ones were put out of sight in two meals. After feasting 

 upon half a dozen or so, the Mole would look very much like a boy full of pudding, and 

 appeared to take a little doze. No sooner, however, did a worm give him a flap on the 

 nose with its tail than he awoke, and with renewed vigor and appetite, demolished half 

 a dozen more victims, when he would again subside into a quiet slumber. 



He lived in great ease and luxury during three days, at the end of which time he met 

 an untimely end. The board upon his tub was accidentally knocked off by an awkward 

 man, who forgot or neglected to replace it. A sly old tom-cat saw the Mole, and 

 impelled by his own organ of destructiveness, killed, but would not eat our hero." 



The cause of this curious combat was probably at no great distance, in the shape of 

 a female Mole, for whose favor the two animals were so fiercely fighting. The Mole 

 pursues its intended mate with extraordinary zeal and perseverance ; and as the number 

 of males is considerably greater than that of females, it seldom happens that a Mole 

 succeeds in winning his bride until he has gained her in battle. So furious are all the 

 passions of the Mole, that we may think ourselves fortunate that the creature is so 

 small ; for it it were as large as a tiger it would be by far the more formidable animal. 



Even with its limited capability, it has more than once proved itself a dangerous 



