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Full Title
How to make and set traps : Including hints on how to trap moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins / by J. Harrington Keene.
Author
Keene, J. Harrington.
Date Added
9 January 2014
Format
Journal
Language
English
Publish Date
1902
Publisher
New York : Frank Tousey
Series
Ten cent handbooks > no. 40
Source
Dime Novel and Popular Literature
Alternate Title
Ten cent handbooks -- no. 40
Topic
Trapping > Handbooks, manuals, etc. Hunting > Handbooks, manuals, etc. Hides and skins > Handbooks, manuals, etc.
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Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
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HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS. “21
take the head of a ferret coming out of a hole for that of a
rat, ag once happened to me in this wise. “I was staying at
a farm-house, and it was proposed one fine December morn-
ing to try an hour or two's ferreting. My school chum, with
whom I was staying, possessed some very tame and good
working ferrets, one 1n particular, a fine brownish dog ferret,
by which he set great store. The great wheat barn was to
be laid siege to, and he being a good ehot and older than I,
took down bis un and- loaded it preparatory to starting.
“‘ Jack,” said he to me, ‘‘ you can shoot, can’t you?” I
was but fourteen then ‘and a school boy, and I fear I an-
gwered rather too readily and without auscient modesty,
“Oh, yes; have you a gun to spare?” Yes, he had a single-
barrel pretty little weapon, and, proud as a cock-robin, I
gallied forth, on mighty shots intent. ‘* Now,” said he,
sity
_- with emphasis, ‘‘stand here; watch that hole, and_as soon
- as you see the whole of a rat’s body fire away, bat be careful
not to killa ferret, which you may easily do if you fire too
hastily.”~ I recollect I rather scorned the idea of mistaking
a ferret for atat, and with steadfast attention prepared Lo
kill the first of the rodents that appeared. It seemed an
age, and then one swiftly popped his head out and bolted past
ine, my fire hitting the ground at least a yard behind bim.
How savage J was! not to speak of the half sn-ers of my
~ companions. Next time I would be ready. Ab! there was
a slight movement in the hole, a small nose poked itselfout
and then disappeared. I pointed the gun straight for the
hole. Out it came again, and then a brown head swiftly
appeared. Bang! Hurrah! I had killed him. Round came
the boys. ‘ Well done,” gaid imy friend Ted, as he stooped
to draw out the murdered wretch. ** Why, you dutfing idiot,
ou’ve killed my best dog ferret!” Moral, do not jump at
conclusions.
IV.
THE OTTER.
THE otter is one of the most graceful of living creatures,
but as a fisherman and fishculturist, 1 candidly confess that
[look on him as a detestable nuisance on my river. What
cnys the poet?
. ‘‘Nor spears
That bristle on his back defend the perch
From his wide. greedy jaws; nor! ucnished mai
The yellow carp; nor all his arts can save
Th’ insinuating eel, that hides his head
Beneath the slimy mud; nor yel escapes
The crimson-spotted trout, the rivers pride
— And beauty of the stream.”