le in canoes up a
certain river (not this little stream), pick out the largest trout, and
shoot them with pistols, under pretence of practising at water-rats.

CHAPTER V

WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET

In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there
was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash. The bank was hollow
with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound
and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a
precipitous edge. Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat
fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage
enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood. If formed a black ledge
standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and
extending for a foot or more round the bark. The pollard, indeed, was
dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed. Ash timber
must become rarer year by year: for, being so useful, it is constantly
cut down, while few new saplings are planted or encouraged to become
trees.

In front a tangled mass of bramble arched over the dry ditch; it was
possible to see some distance down the bank, for nothing grew on the top
itself, the bushes all rising from either side--a peculiarity of clay
mounds. This narrow space was a favourite promenade of the rabbits; they
usually came out there for a few minutes first, looking about before
venturing forth into the meadows. Except a little moss, scarcely any
vegetation other than underwood clothed the bare hard soil of the mound;
and for this reason every tiny aperture that suited their purpose was
occupied by wasps.

They much prefer a clear space about the entrance to their nests,
affording an unencumbered passage: there were two nests within a few
yards of the ash. Though so generally dreaded, wasps are really
inoffensive insects, never attacking unless previously buffeted. You may
sit close to a wasps' nest for hours, and, if you keep still, receive no
injury. Humble-bees, too, congregate in special localities: along one
hedge half a dozen nests may be found, while other fields are searched
for them in vain.

The best time to enter such a hiding-place is a little before the sun
sinks: for as his beams turn red all the creatures that rest during the
day begin to stir. Then the hares start down from the uplands and appear
on the short stubble, where the level rays throw exaggerated shadows
behind