THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 203 



evidence was fast approaching, I asked him 

 if he had ever turned his attention to the 

 poetry as well as to the practical details of 

 hunting. 



' ' What do you mean ? ' ' inquired Trim- 

 bush, with a sleepy stare of surprise. 



" Simply, whether you have made the 

 attempt of earning for yourself that fame," 

 replied I, " which I intend gaining for 

 myself ? ' ' 



"I'm quite in the dark," rejoined my 

 companion, testily. 



" Well, then," returned I, "to be more 

 explicit, I mean to let my tongue appear in 

 print." 



' ' In print ! ' ' exclaimed Trimbush, husky 

 with surprise. " How? " 



"Ah," added I, quoting an early reply to 

 one of my interrogatories, " there are many 

 things as clear to our vision as the sunshine 

 at noon, and yet their causes are hid in 

 impenetrable darkness." 



"Well, well!" added my friend, "I 

 don't wish to appear inquisitive, but if you 

 should mix me up in your — your — " 



" Don't say book," remarked I. "It 

 sounds so gent-like." 



