Fig. 7.Fig. 7.
3. A crowbar.
4. A scraper, or coal-rake.
5 and 6. Shovels, for clearing out the loose earth, including a short-handled one, or scoop, for opening the holes to let in air to the dogs.
Fig. 8.Fig. 8.
7. An earth-piercer, in order to locate the fight.
Fig. 9.Fig. 9.
8. Tongs. The handles should be of wood, as steel and iron "give" under the pressure of a man's strength at one end and the badger at the other. With wooden handles and steel fittings there will still be spring enough to work the guard, which is put on to secure the hold on the animal.
9. Adze, or hatchet, for cutting roots of trees.
10 and 11. Picks, single or double.
Do not forget when starting on a badger-hunt to take plenty of refreshment with you, and remember that it is a dry job digging ceaselessly on a summer's day. Draught cider, light beer, and cold tea are the best liquors to work on for a long stretch. Do not leave the sacks behind you, nor cord to secure them with. And finally, reader, if you are a true sportsman, whilst sparing neither necessary pain to yourself nor dog during the progress of the siege, do not subject your terriers to unnecessary exposure and punishment; and when the day's work is done, however weary and however hungry you may be, do not attend to your own wants tillyou have seen each member of your gallant little pack well brushed and oiled (eyes and ears and wounds, if any, cleaned), fed, and put into a kennel with plenty of clean bedding. And do not forget to make a brave foe as comfortable as you can. If you keep a badger in confinement as a pet, he should have access to plenty of fresh cold water, and be fed on young rabbits and bread till accustomed to confinement, after which he will take gradually to and remain healthy on almost any scraps, meat, and vegetables from the house that you give him. He requires a dry dark kennel and yard, which should be kept scrupulously clean, when he will never be offensive. Some badgers take kindly at once to these new circumstances, others sulk and occasionally waste and die unless great care is taken. If the badger's evacuations show a tendency to purging, feed on bread chiefly and rabbit, or if fastidious in his appetite, give raw eggs and bread.
If by this little book I have done anything towards interesting those who care about the perpetuation of a wild and interesting animalthat is fast disappearing from our hillsides and valleys, and shown that healthy exercise and pleasure can be obtained in protecting him from extinction and by fairly entering the lists against him, I shall have done something towards delaying that sad day when the last badgers, with the lessons of courage and endurance that they can teach, have vanished for ever.
Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London & Bungay.
Transcriber's Note:Spelling and hyphenation have been retained as in the original publication, including on Page 61 where "vne" and "vn" have been retained as published—"C'est vne chose" and "car si on passe vn". The following change was made:Page 48entred a good depthchanged toentereda good depth
Transcriber's Note:
Spelling and hyphenation have been retained as in the original publication, including on Page 61 where "vne" and "vn" have been retained as published—"C'est vne chose" and "car si on passe vn". The following change was made:
Page 48entred a good depthchanged toentereda good depth