COMBAT BETWIXT TWO HARES. 89 



They stood on their hinder legs like two bull- 

 dogs resolutely bent on destruction. 



Having watched them for about a quarter of 

 an hour, we then entered the wood ; — I observ- 

 ing to Mr. Carr that we should find them en- 

 gaged on our return. 



We staid in the wood some ten minutes, and 

 on leaving it, we saw the hares still in desperate 

 battle. They had moved along the hill side, 

 and the grass was strongly marked with their 

 down for a space of twenty yards. At last, one 

 of the sylvan warriors fell on its side, and never 

 got upon its legs again. Its antagonist then 

 retreated for a yard or so, — stood still for a 

 minute, as if in contemplation, and then rushed 

 vengefully on the fallen foe. This retreat and 

 advance was performed many times ; — the con- 

 queror striking its prostrate adversary with its 

 fore feet, and clearing off great quantities of 

 down with them. 



In the mean time, the vanquished hare rolled 

 over and over again, but could not recover the 

 use of its legs, although it made several attempts 

 to do so. Its movements put you in mind of a 

 drunken man trying to get up from the floor, 

 after a hard night in the ale-house. It novy 

 lay still on the ground, effectually subdued ; 



