MARTIN RATTLER, 25

so that he scorned to hit his adversary when he was
down. or in the act of rising ; but the thought of the
fate that awaited the white kitten if he were con-
quered acted like lightning in his veins, and scarcely
had Bob time to double his fists after a fall, when he
was knocked back again into the hollow out of which
he had risen, There were no rownds in this fight—
no pausing to recover breath. Martin’s anger rose
with every blow, whether given or received; and
although he was knocked down flat four or five times,
he rose again, and, without a second’s delay, rushed
headlong at his enemy. Feeling that he was too
little and light to make much impression on Bob
Croaker by means of mere blows, he endeavoured as
much as possible to throw his weight against him at
each assault; but Bob stood his ground well, and
after a time seemed even to be recovering strength
a, little,

Suddenly he made a rush at Martin, and, dealing
him a successful blow on the forehead, knocked him
down; at the same time he himself tripped over a
mole-hill and fell upon his face. Both were on their
legs in an instant. Martin grew desperate. The
white kitten swimming for its life seemed to rise
before him, and new energy was infused into his

frame, He retreated a step or two, and then darted