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"What of hiht on 'em to du it, Peter, an' now four on 'em's

a-layin' in their beds, an' four on 'em's 'obblin' on crutches--an'

all over a couple o' rabbits--though theer be soes!"

"Why--what do you ert, strong ) like; lion, in 'is

wrath, 'e be--ah!--a bull bean't nothin' to Black Jarge! An'

they keepers come an' found 'im under a tree, fast asleep--like

David in the Cave of Adullam, Peter, wi' a couple o' rabbits as

'e'd snared An' when they keepers tried to tak' 'im, 'e rose

up, 'e did, an' throwed some on 'em this way an' some on 'em that

way--'twere like Samson an' the Philistines; if only 'e'd

'appened to find the jaw-bone of a ass lyin' 'andy, 'e'd ha'

killed 'eot away, sure as sure But it weren't to be,

Peter, no; dead donkeys be scarce nowadays, an' as for asses'

jaw-bones--"

"Do you e is taken--a prisoner?"

The Ancient nodded, and inhaled his pinch of snuff with ert noos, bean't it, Peter?"

"What have they done with him? Where is he, Ancient?" But,