252 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



Mordge spoke not. Presently Bella advised our 

 retiring from the scene of battle, and off we ran, nor 

 stopped until we reached a safe distance from the 

 combatants. Then we paused to see how the fight 

 was going, and Bella thought of Slop. 



" Oh, I hope the grice won't hurt him," she said. 



" Hurt Slop ! " I replied. 



My faith in Prince Mordge was only second to my 

 belief in our father. 



The centre of the circles which the combatants had 

 been making had altered considerably since the battle 

 began — had, in fact, reached an edge of the road which 

 overhung the stream. One more frantic tug and 

 wheel around, and over the edge went the grice, with 

 Slop still holding on to her ear. As soon as the 

 astute fellow found that our enemy was so disposed of, 

 and we were out of danger, he let her go, and spring- 

 ing quickly beyond the reach of her formidable tusks, 

 joined us at once, leaving the grice to apply the water 

 cure to her bleeding ear, and to collect her family at 

 her leisure. 



How we thanked our brave defender! How we 

 hugged and kissed him; and his beautiful brown eyes 

 — I have never seen more expressive ones — glowed 

 with a noble joy as he returned our embraces. Slop 

 walked between us to school, and lay down at the 

 door when we went in, as much as to say, "Don't 

 alarm yourselves, I'll see you safe home ! " 



Each day from that hour he became our escort 

 to and from school. I do not know if he remained 



