CHAP. Vi. ] Waits for the Polecat. 121 
would not go. Then he raised himself up, and away it 
went; but the night was so dark that he did not see what 
the animal was. Down he went again to try and get a 
sleep; but before a few minutes had elapsed, he felt the 
same pat-patting: on this occasion it was higher up his 
body. . He now swept his hand across his breast and thrust 
the intruder off. The animal shrieked as it fell to the 
ground. Edward knew the shriek at once. It was.a pole- 
cat. 
He shifted his position a little, so as to be opposite the 
door-way, where he could see his antagonist betwixt him 
and the sky. He also turned upon his side in order to have 
more freedom to act. He had in one of his breast-pockets 
a water-hen which he had shot that evening; and he had 
no doubt that this was the bait which attracted the pole- 
cat. He buttoned up his coat to his chin, so as to prevent 
the bird from being carried away by force. He was now 
ready for whatever might happen. Edward must tell the 
rest of the story in his own words: 
“Well, just as I hoped and expected, in about twenty 
minutes I observed the fellow entering the vault, looking 
straight in my direction. He was very cautious at first. 
He halted, and looked behind him. He turned a little, and 
looked out. I could easily have shot him now, but that 
would have spoiled the sport; besides, I never wasted my 
powder and shot upon any thing that I could take with 
my hands. Having stood for a few seconds, he slowly ad- 
vanced, keeping his nose on the ground. Onhe came. He 
put his fore-feet on my legs, and stared me full in the face 
for about a minute. I wondered what he would do next— 
whether he would come nearer or go away. When satisfied 
with his look at my face, he dropped his feet and ran out 
of the vault. I was a good deal disappointed, and I feared 
that my look had frightened him. By no means. I was 
soon re-assured by hearing the well-known and omiaous 
squeak-squeak of the tribe. It occurred to me that I was 
6 
