170 THE SQUIRE'S PERPLEXITY 



" 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 caUing, and, break- 

 fasting 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 ? " 



" 111 do something with them, sir, before the day's 

 out," repHed Jem, as he fetched the ringleader. Hotspur, 

 clean off his legs with a wipe of his heavy thong. 



In passing through the village a cat crossed the road, 

 and off went the pack full cry, running into her up 

 against an old lady's door. 



" Hang those brutes, Jem, what will they do next ? " 

 exclaimed the master. 



" That's Miss Sharp's favourite Angola cat — she 

 wouldn't have taken ten guineas for her. Better trot 

 on, sir, pretty briskly," said Jem coolly, "or we shall 

 have all the old women in the village about our ears." 



Before leaving it, however, they chopped another 

 pussy, who was fool enough to set her bristles up in 

 defiance of these dare-devils. The Squire breathed 

 more freely as they got out into the country ; when, 

 passing by a sheep-fold, out sprang the shepherd's dog, 

 just to have a look at the passers-by. Finding so 

 numerous a company. Shag dropped his tail between his 

 legs, and moved off with his back up, showing his teeth. 

 Foreman, seeing his attempt to retreat in fighting order, 

 just gave a snap at his rear, which Towler seconding with 



