PUFF AND THE RAT.
1. When Puff would lie quite still out of doors, with his nose pointed one way for a long time, the children knew what was the matter.
2. There was a rat somewhere about, and Puff had seen him go into his hole and was watching for him to come out.
3. The boys would get a spade and begin to dig, and, when they had got in a little ways, Puff would take the matter into his own hand, and dash into the hole.
4. His little, short paws would make quick work, and he would dig in until even the tip of his tail could not be seen.
5. Then a squeak would be heard, and Puff would back out with a rat in his mouth, which he knew what to do with to prevent being bitten himself.
6. He would fling the rat into the air, and, as it would come down, he would catch it by the nape of its neck, give it a shake or two, and it was dead.
7. How proud he was then! He would lay the rat down in different places to see where it would look best, and then he would carry it round to each one in the house, until somebody took him and scrubbed the dirt off, so he was fit to be seen.