STUBBS THE BADGER 
195 
terminated agreeably with some toasts to the success 
of the League, Dinny felt valiant enough to defy any 
number of ghosts. Mother Badger stood on the 
other side of the little marsh, and growled thunder- 
ously ; but Dinny did not hear, and stumbling and 
cursing, knee-deep in mud, came on. The cubs 
glided into the fern, but the old badger stood her 
ground. She had never met her match where 
strength was concerned, therefore she did not 
trouble to use her teeth, but set her snout against 
the intruder's legs and shoved. 
' Holy Mother it 's the divil,' hiccoughed 
Dinny Purcell, crossing himself ; and he tried to run 
faster, but Mother Badger growled and thrust again. 
' Give over,' muttered Dinny, fuddled with drink, 
and striking out timorously with his stick, he 
thwacked Mother Badger's shaggy coat, and thereby 
incited her to charge again. Dinny would gladly 
have taken to his heels, but as his feet were stuck 
fast in the mud it was impossible ; and sobered by 
superstitious fears, he remembered his match-box, 
and fumbled for it. Mother Badger was normally 
placid and slow to wrath, but this man's presence 
so near to her cubs angered her. She caught the 
top of his boot it was well for Dinny that her 
fangs missed his leg and bit it. Just then he 
found his matches, and struck one. It was hot 
o a 
