THE BADGER 



my opinion there are two legitimate methods 

 of hunting the badger. First, that of a 

 straight-forward attack on his fortress ; and 

 should it be an old-established earth, it may 

 be the end of the longest day will not see 

 the battle ended. There are, of course, 

 the fortunes of war — a lucky engagement, 

 a wrong turn on the part of the defender, 

 a successful trench quickly cutting off his 

 retreat — which may deliver him unexpectedly 

 into your hands ; or the enemy may outwit 

 you altogether, conducting a masterful re- 

 treat, with gallant sorties on the dogs, and 

 by continually changing his front drive you 

 to abandon works, trenches, and operations 

 that have cost great labour and time ; thus 

 you may be left with a tired and wounded 

 pack of terriers, exhausted sappers, and the 

 badger, having blocked and barricaded his 

 retreat with soil, stones, and sand, is lost. 

 The war thus made is an equal one : you 

 attack him on his own ground in his fortress 

 where he is acquainted with every passage, 

 gallery, and casement ; he is armed to the 



teeth and armour-plated, and can drive a road 



78 



