126 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



"The old man is at home," said Mr. Benedict. 



Just then a large dog came bounding towards the boys, 

 barking and showing his teeth. " Hallo, Touzer. Good 

 fellow ! " said Mr. Benedict, advancing to meet him. On 

 hearing his namei- the dog stopped and gave one sniff at 

 Mr. Benedict's hand which was extended towards him, 

 then bounded upon him and thrust his rough tongue 

 against his cheek, uttering all the while little short, quick 

 barks of joy. By this time the hermit himself had come 

 out to meet the party. He recognized the teacher at once, 

 and heartily welcomed him and all his young companions 

 to the shelter of his hut. 



"When I heard Touzer's little short wiiff^ 'wuff, I know'd 

 't was a friend a comin'. He knows who 's who, Touzer 

 does. You ought to see that dog when he thinks there 's 

 mischief brewin'," said the old man. 



"Do you ever have any troublesome visitors in this 

 quiet place .? " asked the teacher. 



" Well, no, not exactly ; only 'tain't so far from the village 

 but what the boys, they stray up here now and then, 

 when they 're gunnin' and the like, and they try to tor- 

 ment an old chap like me. The young 'uns don't mean 

 no harm, only mischief; but Touzer, he don't understand 

 it, and the way he sets their heels a flyin' down that steep 

 path is a good 'un." 



All the while he was talking the old man bustled round 



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