One, two, three, came the blows swiftly like boxes on the ears, and there was a snake squirming and helpless in the dust.

Old Faithful's armoured feet were on its head in a second and the danger was over.
"Truly a cat is a terrible thing," said Head-nurse in a twitter.

"There is no fear in them.

The reptile had not a chance." But Down was back on her young master's feet, her eyes closed, purring away as if nothing had happened.
Tumbu was in favour, however, next evening, but for a different cause.
He appeared with a great prickly porcupine held gingerly in his mouth and laid it before Baby Akbar.
"Ohi! Porcupine for supper!" cried Meroo, the cook boy, who knew what a delicacy it was; but Head-nurse shrieked, "Take it away quick--the Heir-to-Empire will prick himself with the quills and they are poisonous.

Take it away at once, I say." But alas! The Heir-to-Empire was wilful, like all Eastern Princelings, and he shrieked to match at the suggestion.