164 GRIMALKIN THE CAT 
abandoned his prey, and only trotted the faster. 
They reached the bushes simultaneously. The 
earthstopper struck out brutally with his stick 
and knocked aside Grimalkin, who rolled over and 
over half stunned ; but then Magragh lost his 
advantage, for he rashly stooped and laid hold of 
the rabbit. In an instant, with a strangled yell, 
Grimalkin's teeth met in his wrist. He sprang 
back with an oath as the blood trickled down. 
' Begob ! there 's something not right wid that 
cat,' he muttered fearfully, stepping aside. ' And 
the rabbit is a quare one. Tis a drop o' holy wather, 
not a stick, ye 'd want for the likes o' him, I 'm 
thinking.' 
So without further interference Grimalkin re- 
turned to the limp body of the Collared Buck and 
dragged it laboriously into the bushes. Once 
protected by the kindly furze thorns he crouched 
down panting, lest another attack should be 
meditated, but it did not come ; and presently he 
heard the earthstopper's heavy tread on the turf 
as he walked away. 
Then indeed Grimalkin's triumph was complete. 
He had even outwitted man himself, and robbed 
him of his kill. He turned to the rabbit once more, 
and played out the death-game to an end before 
returning to his lair. 
