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for I intended, if possible, to thrust the coat into his mouth with one hand, and cut his throat with the knife in the other.

It was too dark to allow me to see the animal, but I could hear it breathing loudly, and sniffing round the sides of the pit, but it would not come near the corner where I crouched.

The hyena, after remaining quiet for several minutes, suddenly began scratching in the corner where I had been digging. The brute worked on without tiring, and I began to believe that its instinct told it that in that direction there was a means of escape. It was evident, from the noise, that it did more work in halfan-hour than I had done in a whole day. I really felt as though the hyena were my friend, and resolved, unless in self-defence, or to save myself from starving, I would not harm the animal.

After a more fierce onslaught than usual, the hyena suddenly stopped scratching, and there was a noise as of struggling, after which all was quiet. I listened, but except a slight noise, as of an animal moving rapidly through the long grass at the pit's mouth, I could hear nothing. I fancied he must be tired, or resting himself, but after half-an-hour's quiet, I began really to hope and believe the creature had effected its escape. I feared to move before daylight appeared, and, oh! how slowly it came. At last a faint gleam was visible, and I strained my sight to catch a glimpse of my companion; but he was gone, and in the place where I had worked, a large gaping hole appeared. I scrambled over to it, and on looking in, saw daylight at the further end. Half-an-hour's work with my knife widened it enough to allow me to push myself through, and I

then found myself in another pit, the sides of which, however, were sloping, and easily ascended.

I waited for ten minutes to recover myself, and to thank God for my escape. I then sought for my gun, which I found, and with difficulty hobbled home, where I made a good meal, but took care not to eat too much, after which I turned into bed, and slept as I never remember having slept before.

THE SPANISH ARMADA.

1.

Attend all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise, I tell of the thrice-famous deeds she wrought in ancient

days,

When the great fleet invincible against her bore in vain The richest stores of Mexico, the stoutest hearts of Spain.

2.

It was about the lovely close of a warm summer's day, There came a gallant merchant-ship full sail to Plymouth

Bay;

Her crew had seen Castile's black fleet beyond Aurigny's isle,

At earliest twilight, on the waves lie heaving many a mile ; At sunset she escaped their van, by God's especial grace; And the tall Pinta, till the noon, had held her close in chase.

3.

Forthwith a guard at every gun was placed along the

wall;

The beacon blazed upon the roof of Edgcumbe's lofty

hall;

Many a light fishing-bark put out to pry along the coast; And with loose rein and bloody spur rode inland many a post.

4.

With his white hair unbonneted, the stout old sheriff

comes;

Behind him march the halberdiers, before him sound the

drums;

His yeomen, round the market-cross, made clear an ample

space,

For there behoves him to set up the standard of her

Grace.

5.

And haughtily the trumpet peals, and gaily dance the

bells,

As slow upon the labouring wind the royal blazon swells. Look how the lion of the sea lifts up his ancient crown, And underneath his deadly paw treads the gay lilies down!

6.

So stalked he when he turned to flight on that famed Picard field,

Bohemia's plume, and Genoa's bow, and Cæsar's eagle shield:

So glared he when at Agincourt in wrath he turned to

bay,

And crushed and torn beneath his paws the princely hunters lay.

7.

Ho! strike the flag-staff deep, Sir Knight; ho! scatter flowers, fair maids :

Ho! gunners fire a loud salute: ho! gallants draw your

blades;

Thou sun, shine on her joyously-ye breezes waft her wide;

Our glorious SEMPER EADEM-the banner of our

pride.

8.

The freshening breeze of eve unfurled that banner's massive fold,

The parting gleam of sunshine kissed that haughty scroll of gold;

Night sank upon the dusky beach, and on the purple seaSuch night in England ne'er had been, nor ne'er again shall be.

9.

From Eddystone to Berwick bounds, from Lynn to Milford Bay,

That time of slumber was as bright and busy as the day; For swift to east and swift to west the warning radiance spread;

High on St Michael's Mount it shone-it shone on Beachy Head.

10.

Far on the deep the Spaniard saw, along each southern

shire,

Cape beyond cape, in endless range, those twinkling points

of fire;

The fisher left his skiff to rock on Tamar's glittering

waves,

The rugged miners poured to war from Mendip's sunless

caves.

11.

O'er Longleat's towers, o'er Cranbourne's oaks, the fiery

herald flew ;

He roused the shepherds of Stonehenge, the rangers of Beaulieu.

Right sharp and quick the bells all night rang out from Bristol town,

And ere the day three hundred horse had met on Clifton down;

12.

The sentinel on Whitehall gate looked forth into the night, And saw, o'erhanging Richmond Hill, the streak of bloodred light.

Then bugle's note and cannon's roar the deathlike silence broke,

And with one start, and with one cry, the royal city woke.

13.

At once on all her stately gates arose the answering fires; At once the loud alarum clashed from all her reeling

spires;

From all the batteries of the Tower pealed loud the voice

of fear;

And all the thousand masts of Thames sent back a louder

cheer:

14.

And from the farthest wards was heard the rush of hurry

ing feet,

And the broad streams of flags and pikes dashed down each roaring street :

And broader still became the blaze, and louder still the

din,

As fast from every village round the horse came spurring in :

15.

And eastward straight, from wild Blackheath, the warlike errand went,

And raised in many an ancient hall the gallant squires of Kent.

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