elder bushes. So I shortened the rod, pulling it in towards me quickly
and dragging the jack through the water. The pliant wire had cut into
the scales and skin--he might have been safely left suspended over the
stream all day; but in the eagerness of the moment I was not satisfied
till I had him up on the mound.

We did not see much of Southlands, because the withy-beds were on the
lowest ground; but there were six jacks strung on a twisted withy when
we got back to the stunted oak and rested there tasting acid sorrel
leaves.





CHAPTER IV



EGG-TIME. A 'GIP'-TRAP


There is no sweeter time in the woods than just before the nesting
begins in earnest. Is it the rising sap that causes a pleasant odour to
emanate from every green thing? Idling along the hedgerows towards the
woodlands there may perchance be seen small tufts of white rabbit's fur
in the grass, torn from herself by the doe to form a warm lining to the
hole in which her litter will appear: a 'sign' this that often guides a
robber to her nest.