RABBIT-FERRETING. 135 



often allow the ferret to commit what Scotch law 

 calls " hame-sucken." 



On the high rocks there were few rabbits; but 

 the holes being shallow they bolted at once, and it 

 needed quick shooting to get them, as they were out 

 of sight in a twinkling. 



At one of the burrows here we had an incident 

 in the sport. Archie had put a ferret into a hole 



just under a shelf of rock, but she came out quickly, 



f 

 and evidently in great excitement, with her hair 



fussed up like an angry terrier's ; put in again, the 

 same was repeated. 



" There's a polecat or something in the hole," 

 said Archie, "and there's nae use trying to howk 

 him oot of hard rock.' 7 



"Put in another ferret," I said; "two should bolt 

 a fox." 



On this Archie took a large dog-ferret from 

 the bag and put him to the hole, the other one 

 following. 



All was quiet for a second or two, when out 

 rushed two common cats with tails like bottle- 

 brushes : one I shot, and Grace pinned the other 

 before Ward had time to fire. 



" What think you of this, Archie ? " I said. 



