, there are other farmers just the opposite, who will not only
pay you for your trouble, but take great interest in helping you to catch
the Rats. I relate these facts and incidents to show you the contrast in
the disposition of different people one meets in this business.

I don't think the Rat-catcher's life is one of the worst if he looks well
after his business, for he has a few advantages over other occupations.
In the first place, he is his own master, and need only doff his coat
when he chooses, there being for him no such summons to work as a factory
bell. And if he fancies a day's outing in the country he can always take
his dog and ferrets with him, and make a day's pleasure into a
remunerative business, by reason of the income from the Rats, and I find
from experience that the best friends he has are his dog and ferrets, if
he will look well after them and treat them kindly, for I think that a
Rat-catcher in the country without a good dog might walk over scores of
Rats and never know they were there, so you will see that his dog is
chiefly what he has to trust to.

And now, in conclusion, let me express the hope that this book will prove
instructive, entertaining, and profitable to my readers, inasmuch as I
have endeavoured to make it so to the best of my ability and within the
somewhat limited scope and sphere of a Rat-catcher's calling. Of course,
I might have made the narrative portion of the book more startling and
exciting, had I drawn upon my imagination, but I have thought it best to
adhere to cold fact and actual experience.

HINTS ON RABBIT SHOOTING.

Always have your gun made at your gunmaker's to your own liking.

Always be prepared for the worst of weather, and be sure to have good
strong boots.

Never have your gun on full cock while walking about, especially whilst
going through a fence.

Never stand too close to a burrow, and don't be too eager to shoot.

Always have your gun pointed upwards to the clouds or down to the ground.

Never shoot at a rabbit as it sits on the top of the hole, or you might
shoot the ferret. Always stand so that all the shooters can see one
another.

Never remove from where the gamekeeper places you.

Never have your gun barrels up while it is raining.

When you go out in the country always provide yourself with refreshments
before starting.

If you miss an easy shot don't blame the gun.

Don't be too excited, and get well on the rabbits bef