Though kestrels, unhappily, are still brought to the gallows, with the
barn-owl and other creatures innocent of injury to game, keepers grow
more discriminating in the matter of vermin. Education has had its
effect--it has taught the men to think, and to act according to reason
rather than convention. The old men remain obstinate, and we remember
how vainly we wasted an hour's good argument on one old fellow who
seemed to hold badgers chiefly responsible for his ruined game-nests.
It was at a keepers' dinner, an annual entertainment given by the Hunt.
Only one badger remained out of a colony that formerly had inhabited
our friend's preserves; and he expressed a firm intention of "fetching
her hout on it." In a rash moment he went so far as to declare that he
would prefer three litters of fox cubs to one of badgers. Overhearing
this, the Hunt secretary made a good point by saying: "Very well, my
friend; if you kill this badger, next time hounds come your way we
shall expect to find at least three litters of cubs." It was notorious
that every fox seen on this keeper's ground was, according to him, a
mangy one and therefore "best put out of the way."
* * * * *