s! yes! William, Master
Graveairs dare not fight, if he can _scold_; so make no more scruples,
but follow your leader:" and, with the greatest dexterity, climbing over
the pales, these wicked boys safely descended into Mrs. Shirley's
meadow.

When there, they raced the pony, and stoned the geese, till they flew
screaming into a large pond in the middle of the field, in what they
called a very diverting manner.

Josiah was busy working in the garden (in the cultivation of which he
spent most of his leisure hours), when the general outcry from the
poultry reached his ears; and, too well acquainted with the cause of
their disquiet, he threw down his spade, and ran to the scene of action;
and arrived just time enough to save the plumage of a hapless peacock
from being entirely demolished in their cruel hands.

"George and William Hope," said Josiah, mildly addressing himself to
the intruders, "desist from such unmanly sport, and leave these poor
creatures in the quiet possession of the field."

This speech was received with loud peals of laughter by the young
gentlemen; and George, with mock gravity, replied--

"Verily, friend, you had better leave off preaching, and join our
sport."

"I never could derive any pleasure from cruelty," returned Josiah.
"Humanity forbids me to join in diversions like these: I would I could
persuade George Hope to renounce such practices."

"So you will not play with us," said George: "and you have the impudence
to insult us, with what you term your _good advice_. Pray, Mr.
Consequence, do you remember to whom you are speaking?"

"Perfectly well," replied Josiah: "I fear I am wasting my words on the
sons of a very good man; I wish, for _his sake_, they were more like
their father."

Enraged at this speech, George darted forward, and struck Josiah such a
violent blow on the head, that it knocked him down; and the spiteful boy
was in the act of repeating it, when he was suddenly caught from behind,
and thrown with fury to the earth.

A large Newfoundland dog, belonging to Shirley, had followed his master
to the field; and, seeing him ill-treated, had thus revenged the insult,
with tenfold interest; and, keeping his captive fast down to the ground,
continued to growl over him in a frightful manner.

William Hope, who wanted much of the audacity of George, fled terrified
towards his own home: when the geese, willing to be revenged in their
turn, followed, hissing and screaming at his