FRISK IS FRISKY! 55

now by suddenly standing still, impatiently
shaking his head, and refusing to stir another
step.

Of course the stupid creatures swarm round
Frisk’s legs, and I am in perfect terror for
fear he should become really frightened and
make a bolt with me.

Without stopping to think, therefore, I
throw down the reins and jump out with the
intention of holding his head. At the very
moment of my putting my foot to the
ground, however, one of the largest pigs
makes a rush at my legs, and with a cry
of mingled rage and disgust down I go
sprawling in the dust.

I recover myself before the pig does,
though, and administer some hard slaps,
which send him howling and squeaking after
his brethren.

It is not till then that [ am conscious of a
rough but kindly voice saying:

“Murther an’ Irish! but that’s a nasty
baste of a pig. But come now, it’s not kilt
intirely ye are, so git up and be aisy a minit