IN AN OLD GARDEN 263 



which he courageously grasped by the tail as it 

 retreated into the bushes. Naturally, it turned 

 on him, and, lifting high its head, came swiftly 

 towards his face with wide-open jaws; and at this 

 supreme moment, without releasing his hold on 

 its tail, with his free hand he snatched off his 

 large felt hat and thrust it down the monster's 

 throat, and so saved himself. 



Just as I am intently watching to see how my 

 hatless little Waterton will deal with his serpent, 

 a startling bark, following by a canine shriek, then 

 a yell, resound through the silent garden; and 

 over the lawn rush those three demoniacal fox- 

 terriers, Snap, Puzzy, and Babs, all determined 

 to catch something. Away fly the birds, and 

 though now high overhead, the baffled brutes con- 

 tinue wildly careering about the grounds, vexing 

 the air with their frantic barkings. No more 

 birds to-day! But now the peace-breakers have 

 discovered me, and come tearing across the lawn, 

 and on to the half-way chair, then to the ham- 

 mock, scrambling over each other to inflict their 

 unwelcome caresses on my hands and face. 



Ah well, let them have their way and do their 

 worst, since the birds are gone, and I shall go 



