PINCH-ME-NEAR FOREST 



new noisy ones immediately gives tongue, and 

 the sage taking a fling in advance, gave some- 

 thing between a squeak and a note, which being 

 immediately endorsed by the rest, they drive with 

 an echoing crash into the thick of the forest. 

 Now our friend's misfortunes commence, for the 

 further they get from the seat of government, the 

 worse the riding becomes. Impervious thickets, 

 through which hounds meuse, but horses can 

 make no way, soon separate them from the pack, 

 whose music falls fainter on the ear ; our anxious 

 master pushes on, through the wet sterile sand, 

 or slobby quagmires, impeded ever and anon by 

 a fallen tree in hopes that a favourable turn may 

 again land him with the pack 'Dash my vig,' 

 says he, shortening his hold of Arterxerxes, who 

 all but falls over a fern-concealed log ' Dash my 

 vig, I wish I mayn't brick my neck in this terrible 

 desert most outlandish place I ever was in.' 



* It is a rum place,' observed Pigg, doing the like. 



"Ark! where are they?' asked Mr. Jorrocks, 

 pulling short up, with his hand to his ear. 



Ill 



