88 PODGERS' POINTER 



which, if they had fulfilled their intended mission, 

 would very speedily have sent the dog to the happy 

 hunting-grounds of his race. One well-directed 

 blow, however, made its mark, and was succeeded 

 by a whoop of triumph from Miss Byrne and a yell 

 of anguish from her vanquished foe. 



" Gelang, ye fireside spaniel 1 Ye live on the 

 neighbours. How dar' ye come in here ? Ye'U 

 sup sorrow. I'll give a couple more av I can get 

 at ye." 



Podgers rushed to the rescue, and, after a very 

 protracted and exciting chase, during which a well- 

 directed blow, intended by Bridget for the sole use 

 and benefit of the dog, had alighted on the head of 

 its master, succeeded in effecting a capture. This, 

 too, was done under embarrassing circumstances ; 

 for the dog had sought sanctuary within the sacred 

 precincts of Miss Byrne's sleeping apartment, beneath 

 the very couch upon which it was the habit of that 

 lady to repose her virgin form after the labours of 

 the day ; and her indignation knew no bounds when 

 Podgers, utterly unmindful of the surroundings, 

 hauled forth the dog. 



" There's no dacency in man nor baste. They're 

 all wan, sorra a lie in it ! " 



At this crisis Podgers must have developed his 

 pecuniary resources, for her tone changed with 



