to
give Chanticleer any ground of complaint. Tom, it appears, had a great
taste for botany, and often rose early to indulge in his favourite
pursuit. One morning, in the ardour of his search for some particular
plant, Tom crept through the hedge into one of his neighbour's fields;
and so much absorbed was he in the discovery of some sweet-tasting grass
which he had never before met with, that he did not notice the approach
of Mr. Chanticleer, until that worthy was close upon him.

Chanticleer, it appears, always made a practice of rising early; but
though Tom had distinguished his voice--so loud you might have heard it
half a mile off--calling to the people in the farm-yard, he did not at
all expect a visit from him in the particular field that he was
examining.

"Well, sir," said Mr. Chanticleer to Tom, in an authoritative tone as
he came close up to him, "may I ask what brings you here?"

"I am studying botany," replied Tom.

"Studying fiddlesticks!" cried his neighbour; "what business have you in
my fields?"

"I have examined all the plants on our side," answered Tom, meekly.

"Then go back and examine them again," cried Mr. Chanticleer, putting
himself in a great passion, "and don't let me see you here any more!"

"You need not be angry, sir," said Tom, "I have done no mischief."

"Angry, sir! what do you mean by angry?" spluttered out the other. "I'll
teach you to tell me I'm angry!" and so saying, he thrust Tom with all
his force into the hedge.

Luckily there was a gap there, and Tom was able to get through, and thus
escape from any further insult. He heard Chanticleer's voice shouting
after him; Tom did not stay to listen, but ran towards the wood as fast
as his legs would carry him.

It so happened, that just before Tom reached home he met Captain
Bulldog, an old officer of the Guards, who had retired on half-pay, with
an extra pension for the loss of one of his legs, which he had left on
the field, and to him Tom recounted all the circumstances of the
assault. The Captain immediately told Tom that he had but one course to
pursue, which was, to call Chanticleer out. Tom did not at first
understand this phrase; but, on its being explained to him, his knees
knocked together, and he begged the Captain to say nothing more of the
matter. But the Captain, who owed Chanticleer a grudge, insisted that
Tom should place himself entirely in his hands, took the poor youth to
his own house, and did not let him r