But I thought myself wiser than I was, and I had to learn by experience that every different nature and endowment may have its peculiar advantages. Before we were out of sight of that village, the very talent which I had despised was the means of saving Pussy's life. The hedgerow, which had hitherto been our safeguard and screen from impertinent observation, had come to an end; the fields were separated from the road only by an open ditch, and young trees enclosed in palings were planted at regular intervals along the path. We were trotting leisurely, thinking of no mischief, when at a turn in the road there suddenly darted out upon us a fierce and powerful mastiff. To leap the ditch and be at Pussy's side was the work of a moment both for him and for me, though with very different intentions; he to assail, I to defend her. The attack was so sudden, that Puss had not time to use her weapons to any purpose; she just managed to give one spirited claw at his nose with a loud hiss, and then sprang faster and higher than I had ever seen her spring before, and gained the top of the paling just in time to escape his seizure. If she had not been able to jump, she would have been a dead cat. Even then she was not quite out of his reach, and he flew after her; but I threw myself upon him while she bounded to the little tree, and climbed its branches till she gained a place of safety. Then the mastiff and I had a battle royal. The very recollection of it at this day does me good. We were all in the highest state of excitement. Puss in the tree, her back showing high above her ears, and her tail swelled to the size of a fox's brush, puffing and spitting at her enemy like a snake or a steam-engine; the mastiff running round the paling on his hind legs, banging up against it on every side, and barking and howling with rage; I, no less furious, howling and barking at him in return, and galloping round the tree as wildly as he did. Determined to try every thing, he turned to dash round the other way, and we came full upon each other. I need not describe the consequences. "Greek" may "meet Greek," and I leave the result to the learned; but if any body had ever doubted whether when dog meets dog, "then comes the tug of war," now was the time to convince themselves. We certainly did tug at each other most decidedly. Our strength and courage were so nearly equal, that for some time the victory was doubtful. Again and again each hero, bitten, scratched, and bruised, rolled in the dust, and rose up again shaking ears and coat, ready to rush upon his adversary with undiminished spirit. The final issue seemed to depend entirely upon the power of holding out longest. As I scorn to boast, I candidly confess that I was many times ready to ask for quarter and own myself beaten: indeed, if I had only been fighting on my own account, I must have yielded; but the goodness of my cause supported me, and in defence