2SO THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



CHAPTER III. 



Sometimes, when returning for his annual visit, 

 our brother landed at a part of the island six miles 

 from home. Slop always accompanied any one who 

 had gone to meet the traveller, and if he was detained 

 by the way he would send his dog home with his 

 walking-stick as a mute token that he had landed, and 

 would arrive before long. With what joyful haste 

 would Slop bound to our feet and drop the stick 

 there, assured of sympathy and approbation ! 



As I said before. Slop seldom joined us in our walks 

 or play unless coaxed or commanded to do so. But a 

 time came when all that was altered. My sister and 

 I were loitering along the road to school one morning 

 when we met Yetta returning with dog and gun from 

 snipe shooting. Bella, who was our brother's favourite, 

 and could take liberties, asked him to come a bit of 

 the way with us ; and to second her request, enlarged 

 pathetically upon the fear we had of encountering "John 

 Thomason's biting grice " (a pig addicted to biting). 

 That terrible creature was usually prowling about a 

 part of the road which we had to traverse, and the pig 

 was at that time doubly formidable, being followed by 

 a litter of young pigs. 



" I am too tired to-day," said Yetta, " but Slop will 

 go. Slop, go and take care of the bairns ! " 



Prince Mordge had often been sent on a like 

 mission, but it was hard to leave master, gun, and 



