apons
to any purpose; she just managed to give one spirited claw at his nose
with a loud hiss, and then sprang faster and higher than I had ever seen
her spring before, and gained the top of the paling just in time to
escape his seizure. If she had not been able to jump, she would have
been a dead cat. Even then she was not quite out of his reach, and he
flew after her; but I threw myself upon him while she bounded to the
little tree, and climbed its branches till she gained a place of safety.

Then the mastiff and I had a battle royal. The very recollection of it
at this day does me good. We were all in the highest state of
excitement. Puss in the tree, her back showing high above her ears, and
her tail swelled to the size of a fox's brush, puffing and spitting at
her enemy like a snake or a steam-engine; the mastiff running round the
paling on his hind legs, banging up against it on every side, and
barking and howling with rage; I, no less furious, howling and barking
at him in return, and galloping round the tree as wildly as he did.
Determined to try every thing, he turned to dash round the other way,
and we came full upon each other. I need not describe the consequences.
"Greek" may "meet Greek," and I leave the result to the learned; but if
any body had ever doubted whether when dog meets dog, "then comes the
tug of war," now was the time to convince themselves. We certainly did
tug at each other most decidedly. Our strength and courage were so
nearly equal, that for some time the victory was doubtful. Again and
again each hero, bitten, scratched, and bruised, rolled in the dust, and
rose up again shaking ears and coat, ready to rush upon his adversary
with undiminished spirit. The final issue seemed to depend entirely upon
the power of holding out longest. As I scorn to boast, I candidly
confess that I was many times ready to ask for quarter and own myself
beaten: indeed, if I had only been fighting on my own account, I must
have yielded; but the goodness of my cause supported me, and in defence
of my friend I performed exploits of valour that I did not know to be in
my nature. At last I had the satisfaction to see my enemy fairly turn
round, and with drooping head, and tail between his legs, sneak off to
his own home in a very different state of mind and body from that in
which he left it. I sent after him a bark of triumph that made the woods
re-echo; but my best reward was in my Pussy's thanks and praises, and