PODGERS' POINTER 85 



I rushed to the window, and perceived Podgers 

 clinging frantically to the area railings with one 

 hand, whilst with the other he held a chain, 

 attached to which, at the utmost attainable dis- 

 tance, stood, or stretched, in an attitude as if bay- 

 ing the moon, the fore legs planted out in front, 

 the hind legs almost clutching the granite step, the 

 eyes betraying an inflexible determination not to 

 budge one inch from the spot — a bony animal, of a 

 dingy white colour, with dark patches over the 

 eyes, imparting a mournfully dissipated appearance — 

 the redoubtable dog which was to afford us a treat 

 " in front of the birds." 



" Hollo, Podgers ! " I cried, " you're late ! " 

 " This cursed animal," gasped Podgers ; " he got 

 away from me in Merrion Square after a cat. The 

 cat climbed up the Prince Consort statue. This 

 brute, somehow or other got up after her. She 

 was on the head, and he was too high for me to 

 reach him, when I got the hook of this umbrella 

 and " 



At this moment the hall-door opened, and the 

 dog being animated with an energetic desire to ex- 

 plore the interior of the house, suddenly relaxed the 

 pull upon the chain, which utterly unexpected move- 

 ment sent Podgers flying into the hall as though he 

 had been discharged from a catapult. My maid-of- 



I G 



