" CHAPTER XXVII THE DACHSHUND Persons unfamiliar with the sporting properties of this long-bodied breed are apt to refer smilingly to the Dachshund as "the dog that is sold by the yard," and few even of those who know him give credit to the debonair little fellow for the grim work which he is intended to perform in doing battle with the vicious badger in its lair.

The strongest will that ever ruled France has passed away; and the poor, broken King has hunted his last badger at St. Germain, and meekly followed his master to the grave, as he had always followed him.

"Because I'm afraid Mr. Badger isn't quite truthful, and one of the ladiesthat old Mrs. Channing; you remember her, don't youthe one with the curls?she tried to sell her stock and nobody would make a bid on it at alland when she spoke to Mr. Badger about it he became very angry and swore right in front of her.

"Both, marm," said the captain, with a coolness that would have done credit to Aristabulus, for he had been fairly badgered into impudence, profiting by the occasion to knock the ashes off his cigar; "all incline to the first opinion, and most to the last.

"I encountered a badger on Hampstead Heath."

"Absolutely and finally?" mocked Mr. Badger with a sweeping bow.

"There's a light burning just round that bend," said Bertie the Badger to himself.

He was badgered for years by petty enemies, and he arouses our enthusiasm by his tolerance, his self-control, and especially by his sincerity.

" "I have driven you out of your hiding-place, as the fox draws the badger out of his kennel," cried Gotzkowsky, with derisive laughter, purposely calculated to irritate the anger of the young officer to the highest pitch.

" For another half-hour the pair waitedBertie the Badger like a dog in its kennel, with his head protruding into the hostile gallery, while his faithful henchman crouched close behind him.