98 PODGEES' POINTER 



unfortunate," he added, addressing himself to 

 me. 



" I don't know what's come over the animal ! " 

 exclaimed Podgers. " I wish to heaven I had never 

 seen him. I'll part with him to-morrow, if 1 have 

 to give him to the Zoological Gardens for the bears." 



Lucidly, it turned out, upon examination, that 

 Lancaster was not in any way seriously injured. 

 This put us into somewhat better spirits, so that by 

 the time breakfast was concluded we were on good 

 terms with each other, and even with the wretched 

 Albatross, in whom we still maintained a sort of 

 sickly confidence. Later on we started for the 

 turnips, Mr O'Eooney and Podgers in front — the 

 latter hauling Albatross along as if he was a sack 

 of wheat ; whilst I brought ap the rear with a 

 gamekeeper and York. 



" I don't think that animal is used to be out at 

 all, at all," observed the keeper. 



" I'm afraid you are quite right," I replied ; " but 

 I hear that he is a very good sporting dog." 



" Sportin' ! Begorra, he'll give yez sport enough 

 before the day is half over," said the keeper, with a 

 gloomy grin. 



" There is always a covey to be found in this 

 field," observed our liost to Podgers, " so we'll give 

 your dog the first chance." 



