Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/47

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
A NEWPORT AQUARELLE.
39

the sudden light, by the cries of the hounds, and the approach of all these men, women, and horses, he did nothing but jump up on the stone wall and look wonderingly at the superior animals who had come so far to find him.

When the pack were close upon him he realized what it all meant,—that it was to take his miserable little life that all these great creatures—brave men and delicate women, hounds and horses—had come out on this bright summer afternoon.

He realized it, but too late even to try for an escape. He looked about him over a strange open country with fields on either side, and, seeing how hopeless it was, stood quite still, looking at the animals, guided by their king, man, who were now close upon him.

One great cry he gave as he felt the teeth of the foremost hound fasten on his throat, and then all was over, and in a space of time something less than sixty