THE 'CALL OF THE WILD" 131 



result was that when any of the dogs saw Toby 

 coming they fled in the opposite direction. For 

 a time there was one exception, an enormous black 

 and white cat, which was a confirmed poacher, 

 and so, for his sins, spent a great part of his time 

 tied up like a dog to a kennel. He was not a 

 good-tempered creature, and I was afraid lest 

 he might hurt the cub if he met her when he was 

 allowed out for a walk, as he was an exceptionally 

 powerful cat and a dreadful bully, but I need not 

 have been anxious. One morning I opened the 

 door to let Toby out, and as I did so caught sight 

 of Spitfire, as the cat was called, vanishing round 

 the corner of the house. The cub saw him too, 

 and regardless of my calls raced after him. I ran 

 after the two, fearing a tragedy, and was in time 

 to see the valiant Toby catch up the rather startled 

 cat a cat accustomed to rule not only his own 

 kind but to bully the terriers as well. The cub 

 rushed in, made a " put " at him, and as he swung 

 round she caught him in the flank. Judging by 

 the squall the cat gave it must have been a good 

 bite. The next thing I saw was Spitfire flying 

 for his life and Toby in hot pursuit. They vanished 

 into a shrubbery, where I found the cat up a tree 

 spitting at the cub, who was looking very pleased 

 with herself. I caught her, and took her indoors, 

 and then tied Spitfire up to his house. From 

 that time she delighted to tease him. She knew 

 exactly the length of his line, and would dance 

 round him, or rush past just out of reach. When 

 he was not looking she stole his food; in fact, 



