s were dashing towards the
prey, drawing the sledge after them at a marvellous rate, led by Smile.
The seal for a moment seemed frightened, and kept on the ice a second or
two too long; for just as he plunged, Smile caught him by the tail and
nippers. The seal struggled violently, and so did Smile, making the
sledge caper about merrily; but in a moment more the other dogs laid
hold, and aided in dragging the seal out of his hole on to the ice, when
Smile took it in charge. The prize was secured entirely by the dogs,
indeed, without any aid from the men.

CHAPTER THREE.

HORSES.

THE MARE AND HER FOAL.

The horse becomes the willing servant of man, and when kindly treated
looks upon him as a friend and protector.

I have an interesting story to tell you of a mare which belonged to
Captain I--, an old settler in New Zealand. She and her foal had been
placed in a paddock, between which and her master's residence, three or
four miles away, several high fences intervened. The paddock itself was
surrounded by a still higher fence.

One day, however, as Captain I--was standing with a friend in front of
his house, he was surprised to see the mare come galloping up.
Supposing that the fence of her paddock had been broken down, and that,
pleased at finding herself at liberty, she had leaped the others, he
ordered a servant to take her back. The mare willingly followed the
man; but in a short time was seen galloping up towards the house in as
great a hurry as before. The servant, who arrived some time afterwards,
assured his master that he had put the mare safely into the paddock.
Captain I--told him again to take back the animal, and to examine the
fence more thoroughly, still believing that it must have been broken
down in some part or other, though the gate might be secure.

Captain I--and his friend then retired into the house, and were seated
at dinner, when the sound of horse's hoofs reached their ears. The
friend, who had on this got up to look out of the window, saw that it
was the mare come back for the third time; and observing the remarkable
manner in which she was running up and down, apparently trying even to
get into the house, exclaimed, "What can that mare want? I am sure that
there is something the matter." Captain I--on hearing this hurried out
to ascertain the state of the case. No sooner did the mare see him than
she began to frisk about and exhibit the most lively satisfaction; but
inste