134 ARDENMOHR. 



After lunch, when just on the way to join the 

 anglers, Archie came to the Lodge, and it was agreed 

 that instead of going to the river we should have a 

 turn at the rabbits ; so leaving Archie to get his 

 dinner and bring the ferrets, we went off to the 

 hill and waited till he joined us with the ferrets and 

 retriever. 



It is very pretty practice this same ferreting ; 

 and there is a certain excitement in slipping up 

 to the burrows, dropping the ferret, and with ready 

 gun waiting the issue. 



Odd enough, rabbits do not always bolt when their 

 homes are invaded by their enemy, and, when they 

 do so, often dawdle out as if for an airing, instead 

 of the headlong rush one might expect; but they 

 put on steam directly they see the sportsman. 



The first burrows were drawn nearly blank ; but 

 on getting round to the sheltered side of the hill 

 we found plenty, and they bolted well : eight couple 

 were killed in a short time some clipping shots 

 made, and some shameful mulls. 



It is very strange how " dour " at times rabbits 

 are to leave their burrows ; you can hear them rum- 

 bling below, as the ferret pursues them through the 

 tunnels, yet, with open doors for escape, they will 



