Raggylug 103 



he chewed very hard with nothing in his mouth, 

 and hopping forward onto a smooth piece of 

 hard ground he struck slowly: 



* Thump — thump — thumps which is a rabbit 

 telegram for ' Get out of my swamp, or fight.* 



The new-comer made a big V with his ears, 

 sat upright for a few seconds, then, dropping 

 on his fore-feet, sent along the ground a louder, 

 stronger, ' TJiump — tJiump — thumps 



And so war was declared. 



They came together by short runs sidewise, 

 each one trying to get the wind of the other 

 and watching for a chance advantage. The 

 stranger was a big, heavy buck with plenty of 

 muscle, but one or two trifles such as treading 

 on a turnover and failing to close when Rag 

 was on low ground showed that he had not 

 much cunning and counted on winning his 

 battles by his weight. On he came at last and 

 Rag met him like a little fury. As they came 

 together they leaped up and struck out with 

 their hind feet. Thud^ thud they came, and 

 down went poor little Rag. In a moment the 

 stranger was on him with his teeth and Rag 

 was bitten, and lost several tufts of hair before 

 he could get up. But he was swift of foot and 

 got out of reach. Again he charged and again 

 he was knocked down and bitten severely. 



