174 THE SQUIRE IN THE DUCK-POND 



stable-door, not heeding the exclamation of the herds- 

 man, " And now the bull's out " (as if the cHmax of all 

 things had arrived), when the infuriated animal, charging 

 his horse in the rear, sent the old gentleman flying out 

 of his seat into the duck-pond, whose waters were none 

 of the sweetest, resembling in colour the darkest coffee. 

 The depth not being sufficient to float the leviathan, 

 there would have been an inglorious end to this renowned 

 sportsman (who, from having fallen on his back, was 

 powerless to raise himself) but for the timely assistance 

 of the hind, who rushed to his rescue, holding his head 

 above water, and vainly attempting to drag him out ; 

 he might as well have pulled at the bull's tail. 



** Here, Thomas," cried he, to a clod looking on 

 and grinning from a barn, '' lend a hand, will 'e, or 

 t'ould Squire'll be smothered. I can't wag un an 

 hinch." 



A buxom dairy-maid, pitying him (as women always 

 do those in distress), lent Thomas a flap in the face with 

 her brawny fist, which stopped his laughter instanter ; 

 and by the aid of the three the old gentleman was dragged 

 forth and set up on the perpendicular against the wall 

 (still exclaiming, " Good Lord ! what will they do next ? "), 

 coffee distilling from every garment, where he was under- 

 going the process of wringing out, when the " Missis " 

 appeared, offering her husband's wardrobe, and begging 

 him to come in and change. 



" Thank you, my good woman," replied he ; " but 

 as to your rigging me out in Styles's vestments, the 

 old sow there might as easily get into a rat's hole as I 

 should into his small clothes. But if you will bring me 

 a glass of brandy and water, I wiU accept that with many 

 thanks, and then ride home as soon as possible." 



