90 PODGERS' POINTER 



pressed closely over the mouth, whilst Podgers 

 punched him a tergo with no very light hand. 



" That's the quarest dog I ever seen," observed 

 the driver. " He ought to be shupayrior afther 

 badgers. He has a dhrop in his eye like a widdy's 

 pig, and it's as black as a Christian's afther a 

 ruction." 



" He's a very fine dog, sir," exclaimed Podgers, 

 in a reproving tone. 



" He looks as if he'd set a herrin'," said the cab- 

 man jocosely. 



" Mind your horse, sir ! " said Podgers angrily. 



The driver, who was a jovial-tempered fellow, 

 finding that his advances towards " the other side " 

 were rejected, turned towards mine. 



" Are you goin' huntin' wid the dog, sir?" he asked. 



"We're going to shoot," I replied, in a dignified 

 way. 



" To shoot ! Thin, begorra, yez may as well get 

 off the car an' fire away at wanst. There's an 

 illigant haystack foreninst yez, and — but here we 

 are " — and he jerked up at the entrance to the 

 station. 



The jerk sent Albatross flying off the car, and 

 his chain being dexterously fastened to the back 

 rail of the driver's seat, the luckless animal re- 

 mained suspended whilst his collar was being 



