But this wretched brute in our field was moving at the pace
proper to feeding time, and, judging by its deliberate sluggishness, it
seemed to be inviting death. When the short pitter-patter of the
terriers' feet sounded on the grass, Bunny made a clumsy attempt to
quicken his pace; the leading dog plunged at him, and by a convulsive
effort the rabbit managed to swirl round and get clear. Then the second
dog shot in; then came one or two quick, nervous jerks from side to
side; then the beaten creature faltered, and was instantly seized and
swung into the air. A good wild rabbit would have been half-way across
the next field, but that unhappy invalid had no chance.
The other courses were of much the same character, for the rabbit, being
used to run on a beaten path, has not the resource and dexterity of the
hare. One strong specimen distanced the pair of tiny weeds that were set
after him, but the pack of roughs were whooping at the border of the
field, and the doomed rabbit was soon clutched and pocketed.
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