THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 191 



through the hedge, a thought struck me that 

 the cub might be skulking in the ditch on the 

 other side. Popping my nose down, I dropped 

 into it, and finding instantly that I was right, 

 I rushed through the brambles, and just as he 

 was about to spring out, I caught him across 

 a tender part, and with one pinch he was as 

 dead as a salt herring. 



"Who- whoop!" hallooed the Squire. 

 *' Who- whoop, my beauty! " 



To the envy of most of my companions, I 

 received great praise for this kill from our 

 master, who seemed not to know how to make 

 enough of me on our road home. 



" Yo-o, Ringwood! " cried he, throwing 

 me a bit of biscuit from his pocket. " Yo-o, 

 Ringwood, darling," and then turning to 

 Will, said, " What a mercy such a hound as 

 that was not destroyed through my haste ! " 



"Ay, sir," returned the huntsman, with a 

 knowing shake of the head. " If we have as 

 good, we've none better." 



" Thanks to my instructions," growled 

 Trimbush. 



" Come, come," said I, " don't be jealous 

 of the little praise I'm getting. You receive 

 your share." 



