icularly vicious, aggressive, and
pugnacious bull-terrier,--one of these fellows with heavy, short
necks, and red, squinting eyes, that seem ever to be on the lookout
for a fight. Next door to us lived a neighbor who likewise rejoiced in
the possession of a canine of appearance and habits of mind similar to
our pet. From the date of their first meeting these dogs had been
deadly enemies, and had growled and yelped at each other through the
picket-fence separating the two yards, until we were forced to keep at
least one dog chained continually. The strained relations between the
dogs became a matter of general interest, and speculations were rife
among the neighbors as to the probable outcome of a hostile meeting.
Those were the times when a lively dog-fight would draw the merchant
from his counter, and the blacksmith from his anvil; and it is even on
record that an honorable judge once hurriedly adjourned his court at
the premonitory sounds of snarling in the court-house square. Well,
the knowledge that two dogs, pining for a fight, were being forcibly
restrained, was too much to be borne by the people of the village; and
a plot was concocted for bringing about a fight. One night two pickets
were surreptitiously removed from the fence, leaving an opening of
ample size to permit a dog to pass. In the morning our dog was sunning
himself in the yard, when the neighbor's dog rushed to his side of
the fence, and made remarks not to be borne by any self-respecting
canine. Then began the usual performance of snarls and barks, and
baring of white teeth, as the dogs made frantic efforts to get at each
other. The neighbors assembled in a crowd, and the knowing ones
predicted a lively time when those two dogs found the hole in the
fence. Down the line of the fence the two curs walked, their eyes
glaring, their jaws snapping, their tongues out, and dropping foam.
The racket was tremendous. At each place where the pickets were a
little spread, they redoubled their efforts to clinch. They approached
the opening. The interest of the spectators redoubled. Now they
reached the spot; sprung at each other; their jaws touched,--and each,
dropping his tail, slunk away to his kennel. Gentlemen, the attitude
of these armies reminds me of that dog-fight."

[Illustration: Flag of the Confederacy.]

While the armies of the two contestants were thus idly resting upon
their arms, the navy was obliged to discharge duties, which, while
they brough