232 STUBBS THE BADGER 
groping his way awkwardly, for the dust in his nose 
made him sneeze, and his eyes were as yet scarcely 
used to the darkness. However, when he discovered 
which way the fox had gone he gave an excited 
yelp, and came on. Stubbs rumbled threateningly. 
A badger does not fight willingly, and always gives 
notice when his patience is growing short. Rip in- 
stantly snarled and rushed in fox or badger, either 
was a legitimate adversary. In the dark he partially 
missed his hold and seized Stubbs under the ear. 
Stubbs grunted, and flung his head back, but Rip 
hung on gamely. Then the badger bored forward 
and crushed him against the side of the passage, 
and he let go for an instant ; but the next moment 
he sprang in again, and his teeth met in the other's 
shoulder. What little air there was in the burrow 
was thick with dust, and both the combatants choked 
for breath. Stubbs cut at the terrier with his 
digging claws, but the space was too confined, and 
only a grunting gasp and momentary tightening of 
the teeth in his neck told that his blows took effect. 
Rip then shifted his hold again, and tugged and 
dragged at the badger's thick hair, with all four 
legs widely extended. Stubbs lunged forward in 
vain his enemy merely retreated backwards as he 
felt the strain on his jaws slackening. Suddenly 
the grip of the terrier's teeth gave way, and he 
