Page:Diary of a Pilgrimage (1891).pdf/199

 to hold him back, following at the other end of the chain!

Oh, the merry frolics in the fields, when the dog wanted to kill a cow, and the cow wanted to kill the dog, and they each dodged round my uncle, trying to do it!

And, oh, the pleasant chats with the old ladies when the dog wound the chain into a knot round their legs, and upset them, and my uncle had to sit down in the road beside them, and untie them before they could get up again!

But a crisis came at last. It was a Saturday afternoon,—uncle being exercised by dog in usual way,—nervous children, playing in road, see dog, scream and run,—playful young dog thinks it a game, jerks chain out of uncle's grasp, and flies after them,—uncle flies after dog, calling it names,—fond parent in front garden, seeing beloved children chased by savage dog, followed by careless owner, flies after uncle, calling him names,—householders come to doors and cry, "Shame!"—also throw things at dog,—things that don't hit dog, hit uncle,—things that don't hit uncle, hit fond parent,—through the village and up the hill, over the bridge and round by the green,—grand run, mile and a half without a break! Children sink exhausted,—dog gambols up among them,—children go into fits,—fond parent and uncle come up together, both breathless.