238 THE squire's perplexity. 



" Send Thomas down to give them a good 

 horse-whippmg, Mr. C, unless you prefer gomg 

 yourself." 



Thomas was sent accordingly, and laid about 

 him right manfully, which stopped the row for 

 half-an-hour. Then it broke out again worse 

 than ever. Thomas was again sent down to quell 

 the riot, which he did for the time by thrashing 

 the whole lot till he could thrash no longer. All 

 quiet for an hour, and the old Squire had just 

 dozed off into a comfortable nap, when the up- 

 roar re-commenced as bad as before. 



" Confound those curs !" cried he, " they will 

 be the death of me ; what can I do ?" 



" Ring for Thomas again, Mr. C." 



" No, no, my dear, Thomas has had enough 

 for one night ; we must now endure this nuisance 

 till morning." 



The old Squire did not require calling, and, 

 breakfasting betimes, set out with his new pack 

 and Jem to give them at least six hours' exercise 

 along the roads. Rush came the pack out of the 

 kennel, full cry, as if they were running a fox, 

 nearly unhorsing the old Squire, whose horse 

 swerved at such an unusual salutation. 



" Confound those devils, Jem, what is to be 

 done with them ?" 



