behind him, and it was manifest that this incessant
movement was edging him nearer and
nearer to his prisoner. As for the latter—a
fine little boy about ten, and hitherto enjoying
the most friendly relations with Swartz—he sat
paralysed with terror, his blue eyes opened to
their full extent, as if fascinated by the danger
from which he could not escape. Attempts to
drive the dog away had so evidently added to his
fury, that it had been resolved to leave him
alone until fire-arms were at hand.

The young master thought differently. To
his generous heart the boy's danger seemed too
imminent to admit of a moment's delay.
Disregarding the remonstrances of his servants, and
taking no notice of a spasmodic shriek emitted,
as in duty bound, by Mrs. Turnover, George
walked steadily towards the crouching dog, and
spoke to him in a tone of quiet, sharp command.

Swartz uttered a low growl, and flung the
foam from his vexed jaws, but never took his
eyes from his little prisoner.

"Listen, boy," said George; "I am about to
take off the dog's attention. The instant his
eye is off you, use your legs."

The boy's lips moved in assent.

"Come, sir, to kennel," said George, and,
as he spoke, struck the hoe he carried sharply
on the ground close to the dog.

Quick as lightning the brute was upon him,
seizing him by the leg. It was an exchange of
prisoners, for, hardly less swiftly, the boy had
vanished from his perilous position, and was in
safety. A loud cry burst from the spectators,
and two or three of the men, shamed by the
urgency of the occasion, were hastening forward
to their master's assistance. But he motioned
them back. Though held as in a vice, George's
boots had resisted the animal's teeth, and he
was as yet perfectly uninjured.

But what was now to be done? A gun had
been brought and charged with swan-shot, but
none dared use it while man and dog retained
their relative positions. Neither was it possible
to convey the weapon into George's hand, it
being all but certain that the infuriated beast
would only quit his present hold to fasten,
perhaps with more fatal effect, upon the first who
approached him. To complete the difficulties
ol the situation, the iron portion of the hoe had,
when struck upon the ground, become detached
from the handle, thus depriving George of all
chance of dealing an effective blow at his
dangerous assailant.

At this moment Esther, prepared for departure,
and astonished at the sudden solitude that
seemed to reign within the house, made her
appearance on the scene. A few words made
her acquainted with the danger that impended
over the young master of the house, and the
difficulty of interposition. The girl's face
became scarlet, then white as snow. Without
betraying the slightest apprehension, she
approached within a pace of the dog, and, stooping
slightly, strove to engage his attention. The
animal's rolling eye met hers, and became fixed.
He ceased to shake and mouth the object on
which his fangs had closed, and George was
even sensible of some relaxation of his vice-like
hold. Would he spring upon the new comer?

"For God's sake," began George, trying a
last appeal.

"Be silent!" was Esther's only reply, her eye
never quitting that of the dog. To the amazement
of everybody, Swartz now displayed
evident symptoms of quailing. Gradually, almost
imperceptibly, he detached his teeth from
George's boots. Then Esther slowly extended
her hand. Swartz shrank back an inch or two,
shook the foam from his jaws, and uttered a
piteous whine. As if this nad been a signal of
surrender, the brave girl, without further
hesitation, put her hand between his collar
and his shaggy neck, and turned him in the
direction of a vacant kennel, close at hand.
Yielding to the impulse, Swartz suffered
himself to be conducted thither, and secured to the
chain. But the excitement was not yet over.
In turning, Esther's foot came in contact
with the water-can placed there for the usual
occupant of the kennel, and upset it. With
the bound of a tiger, the dog instantly flew at
her; but, checked by the chain, only touched her
wrist and hand sufficiently to smear them with
the mucous fluid that fringed his jaws.

George had recognised the fatal—sign even
if the frightful appearance of the dog, reared on
end, and snapping with convulsive fury at
fancied objects around, had not of itself been
proof sufficient. There was but one thing to
do, and no time to lose in doing it. The staple
that held the chain was of no great strength,
and might yield before the powerful strain. He
beckoned to the keeper, who put the gun into
his hand.

"Farewell, my brave old boy!" he said,
regretfully, and fired.

The foam changed to blood, and Swartz rolled
over dead.

"Where is Miss Vann?" asked George, looking
round for his young preserver.

"In the 'ouse, I think, Sir George," said Mr.
Fanshaw. "I think she got a little faintyish,
Sir George. Shall I tell her you wants to see
her, Sir George?"

"Do no such thing," said his master,
and walked into the house.

Mr. Fanshaw took a letter from his pocket,
and examined it.

"There's somethin' inside o' you, I can feel,"
he muttered. Now, wot?  Shall I give it him
now? I ort to. But, somehow, he don't
seem in good cue."

And Mr. Fanshaw thoughtfully followed his
master.

                Now ready, in One Volume, post 8vo,
                       The SECOND EDITION of
                  AUNT MARGARET'S TROUBLE.
        London: CHAPMAH and HALL, 193, Piccadilly.