Raggylug- 



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

 stronger, ' Thump — thump — thump.' 



And so war was declared. 



They came together by short runs side-wise, 

 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. He 

 was no match for his foe, and it soon became a 

 question of saving his own life. 



Hurt as he was he sprang away, with the stran- 

 ger in full chase, and bound to kill him as well 



129 



