198 A Sportsman at Large 



Now it is notorious that dogs share with mankind (which, of 

 course, includes womankind) the attacks of " the green-eyed 

 monster " in acute form. 



From the first, Billy bitterly resented my attention to, and 

 affection for, these intrusive bantlings. On one occasion 

 he made a violent assault on them, and I was only just in time 

 to avert a sad tragedy. Of course, Billy was "for it," and 

 correction was administered to him hard and good ! This 

 hearty castigation gave him cause for serious reflection, so, 

 for the time being, he regarded the interlopers with dignified 

 toleration ; though he refused anything like a response to 

 the friendly overtures which Lars and Ole (as the young 

 " hoodies " were called) persisted in making. 



But all the time he was as it turned out harbouring 

 black thoughts in his canine brain, and thinking out a terrible 

 and satisfying revenge. 



When I was busy with my flies on the river, my C.O. or 

 her brother were generally on sentry go over our lares and 

 penates ; but there came a fatal day when the homestead 

 was left temporarily untenanted ; for Bedford and Flora, his 

 wife, had sallied forth to obtain rations (other than salmon), 

 whilst the C.O. and her brother had strolled down to the 

 river, intent on witnessing my operations and joining me in 

 a picnic luncheon. 



As they came up, I noticed that, for once in a way, the 

 terrier was not in attendance. 



' Why, Where's Billy ? " I asked. 



" Oh," replied she of my heart. " I thought he would be 

 in the way and interfere with your sport, Cockie dear." 



" What did you do with him then ? " 



" I just locked him up in the loft." 



This from Marcus (the brother). 



" Not with Lars and Ole, I hope ! " I inquired breath- 

 lessly. 



" Oh, they're all right, Cockie, I fastened them up in 

 their cage snug and safe." 



Thus assured, I let the matter drop ; but I was haunted 

 by a persistent presentiment, all the time I was fishing ; so 

 after our frugal meal, I accompanied the others to the hits 



