MARTIN RATTLER. 12]

they choose to risk losing their way, and spending
the night in the forest.

They picked up the iguana in passing; and on
reaching the spot where the armadillo had burrowed,
the hermit paused and kindled a small fire over the
hole, by means of his flint, steel, and tinder-box. He
thus contrived to render the creature's habitation so
uncomfortable that it rushed hurriedly out; then,
observing that its enemies were waiting, it doubled
its head and tail together, and became the image of
a rough stone.

“ Poor thing,” said Martin, as the hermit killed it,
“that reminds me of the ostrich of the desert, which,
I'm told, when it is chased over the plains by men on
horseback, and finds that it cannot escape, thrusts
its head into a bush, and fancies, no doubt, that it
cannot be seen, although its great body is visible a
mile off!”

“Martin,” said Barney, “this arth is full o° quare
craturs intirely.”

“That's true, Barney; and not the least ‘quare’
among them is an Irishman, a particular friend of
mine!”

“Hould yer tongue, ye spalpeen, or I'll put yer
head in the wather!”

“T wish ye would, Barney, for it is terribly hot