But the spaniel tore and twisted till he got loose and had followed us--keeping out of sight--till now crossing the scent of a rabbit he set up his bark.

We called him to heel, and I am afraid he got a kick.

But the pheasant was alarmed, and rose before we could properly enfilade the little copse, where we should most certainly have had him.
He flew high and straight for the fir plantations, where it was useless to follow.
However, we leaped the brook and entered the keeper's territory under shelter of a thick double-mound.

We slipped the lined ferret into a small bury, and succeeded in knocking over a couple of rabbits.

The object of using the lined ferret was because we could easily recover it.
This was pure mischief, for there were scores of rabbits on our own side.