Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

294 DANGER IN THE DARK.
Wimple was seized with JL panic, and faced about
toward the spot which Burbanks had recommended
as a place of safety; and as he began to put spurs to
his pony, he cried out to the hounds-" Catch 'em
Towser! sic'em, puppy!" And in full speed, made
tracks for the basin. 'Discretion is the better part
of valor;' soliloquized the terror-stricken fellow, as he
pressed forward to a hiding-place; "I didn't esteem
it prudent this time to 'pitch in,'" said he, just
as pony leaped into the horrid quagmire. Plash I
went the water and mud, flying twenty or thirty feet
high. Then followed such floundering, and plunging,
as perhaps, never before was witnessed. The wolves
and hounds, in a few seconds followed suit, pitching
in to the basin, pell-mell l
Pony was not long getting rid of his rider, whom
he left up to his neck in mire. The sporting company
directly rode up to the edge of the basin, to witness
the dire confusion: "A rare show!" exclaimed Burbanks,
as he beheld dogs, wolves, bullfrogs, Wimple
and pony all together, performing rare feats and most
astounding exploits. By a tremendous effort,Wimple'
extricated himself from the hole into which he was
first precipitated, and perched upon a tuft of grass,
barely sufficientto sustain his weight above the water;
but the poor fellow was not destined long to enjoy his
enviable position-the enraged wolves and dogs in Ii.
tussle, came rudely against him, tumbling him head
foremostinto the mire again. The ladies, now moved