Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-22
After the Rabbits.

Dj011dttS Pe1'SOfcfP: A couple of guns stand
ing back to back under the oak: two Others
similarly posted In the field beyond the ditch:
three keepers bending In various attitudes over
The DuTrOW, previous to rushing toward the
stem OF the oak TO bestow themselves out OF the
way; three ferretS who have disappeared in the
bowels or the earth; couple or veteran ter
Hers their heads twisted 10 one side, almost to
the dislccation or their necks, aud each nerve
In their bodies qulverlng with excitement; with
rs many retrieyers, that are scarcely less inter
ested, though they do their best to keep up
some dignity OF department. SO far as the
mere ferfeting goes, the terriers, Spice and
Ginger, had better have been LETT at home since
they are more likely TO tumble into the way
than not. But they are useful In hunting out
a ditch or hedge bottom; and miss here aud
there is or little consequence. C)ntic,tore
O1I.,les: inteTt,Que ora te1e5dnt. The tails of
The ferrets have been deliberately dragged out
or sight; and all Is silence in the meantime.
heralds earthquakes and commissions OF nature.
There Is faint scraplng and shuttle be-
meath our feet: the shufiling Is succeeded by
rushing 10 and fro; the scraptng grows into
pOrtent1ouS rumbilng, as IL working party
OF gnomeS with picks and wheelbarrows,
were mining the foundation of the ancestral
oak The grumbling echoes of that subterra-
neous chase are now here and now there. II the
distracted terriers were to follow their bent
they would be dancing over the sur
lace OF the ground like a couple of
gloDules OF quicksilver. Even the sportsmen,
although they have time to think. or because
they have time, are conscious of something OF
the fiutter that thrills Oh the nerves when a
covey OF black game Is whirring up all around
one. The RABBITS have realized there Is danger
above, and are loath TO be forced by any amOTint
OF hunting. lou can conceive the sudden agi-
tatlon In those peaceful tenementS below with
the Steaithy enemies, all teeth, claw and sinpH
following up the remOrseless chase with slow
malignant ferocity. Now some stout old huck
must be standing Hereby at bay his bristIing
back set to the end OF burrOW, and MS fore
paws hammering v1ciously at his assaIlants
You can follow the shifting fortunes OF the
single combat, for there seems TO be but
sod between you and the lists Next
there Is rush or desperation; he
has taken tax a ,oao nyi1g leap over the
shows mis- head above ground only to Jerk it
back again, while a third bounces out or one
hole, like jack-in -theb0x to take a living
leap down another But at last the general
sdurr q,ti l,elH begins There rabbit makes
rush for the ditch, and gains the covered way
OF matted weeds and thorl. closely folio wed
up by the yelping terriers. TO be hustled out
egatn little lower down, While a companion
d;Tes a straight dash across the open, to be
cleverly stopped ia due course The winding
sheet or snow Is rent and torn as
rabbits tear their way out OF hidden
issues, to land themselves 10 the mid
die or scattering charges; there Is a quick
rolling FIRE, with sharp clicking or the barrel
hinges as the smoking breech-loaders close On
the cartridges; a shower OF icy particles from
the bushes falling on the curly coats OF the
TetrieveTs: scattering OF floating flick, cutting
OF twigS by the driving shot, crimSon1ng OF the
spotlesS surface. Then the shooting dies away
and ceases, as the boiling draws TO an end. The
terriers are come back from their mad bursts OF
excitement, with painting tongues ana heavlng
sides; the keepers gather up the slain which the
retrieyerS had already been collecting for them,
and finally, the ferrets reappear one by one.
blinking their fiery eyes, and licking their encar-
mined fowls, to be caught up by the napes OF
their necks and deposited snugly in the boxes
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