The keeper always has a supply of odd jobs on hand to occupy his time
on a soaking wet day, or when a snow-storm rages. He has always plenty
to do--but much of his work cannot be done properly in bad weather,
and to work out of doors on a wet day may be as much a waste of time
as to work indoors on a fine day on matters of no moment. It would be
foolish to go ferreting in heavy rain--nets become soaked, rabbits will
not bolt, and digging for ferrets in soft mud is heart-breaking work;
at the end of the day, while there may be a few rabbits that look as
if they have been bathing in mud, there is all the tackle to be dried
for the next day. Then again, it would be sheer waste of time to stop
rabbit-burrows when snow has freshly fallen, for half the holes would
be hidden, and the work would have to be done over again. It pays to
wait until the next day, when rabbits have been out to feed and the
holes are seen easily.
When he decides to stay under cover the keeper hardly knows where to
begin, as he looks about his store-houses and sheds. Here are traps
that should be cleaned and overhauled, broken chains to be mended,
bent parts to be carefully straightened--a little judicious filing
and a drop of oil are needed here and there to make all parts work
together smoothly and swiftly. Snares must be overhauled and sorted,
the sound ones to be neatly shaped so that the noose stays open ready
for use, and each one must be fitted with its string, tealer, and plug.
A supply of new snares may be made. Plugs and pegs may be shaped, for
holding snares and traps, from a length of solid ash which the keeper
knows to be well seasoned, so that it will not crack when he drives it
into stony ground with his heavy, steel-shod heel. For months he has
treasured that piece of ash--and terrible was the vengeance that he
vowed on his wife when she dared to hint that it would serve nicely for
her copper fire.
* * * * *