CH. IV.] '^ Steady^ Dogs, Steady!^'' 71 



is preserved. Yes, Jack, I think I'll fill my 

 pipe again. Baccy does taste good on a day 

 like this ; but what doesn't ? I feel like a ten- 

 year-old and as fit as a fiddler. Grindum, 

 give over blinking and don't look so benevo- 

 lent. No, Chance, no, old lady, I can't pull 

 your tail, for you haven't got one. What, 

 Jack, you say I haven't spoken for the past 

 mile ? Well, I suppose I have been thinking, 

 and my thoughts have not been wholly sad 

 ones. Open the gate ; here we are ; and you 

 get over on the other side of the hedge and 

 don't talk or make a noise, for I can see by 

 the work the rats s-w-a-r-m. Steady, dogs, 

 steady ! And so we start. 



The hedge is just what it should be, and if 

 it had been made for ratthig it could not be 

 better. A round bank of soft earth, a shallow 

 ditch with grass, little bush or bramble, and 

 a gap every few yards. There is a gateway 

 in the middle, which will make a hot corner 



