regions are paved with good intentions, I shall be received
on my arrival by a deputation of souls to thank me for my
contribution to the pavement."

[Illustration: RAG.]

[Illustration: BOBTAIL.]

There are sketches in which Tag's eloquence is confined to one
exclamation, "Matilda!" But whether that name was coupled with present
felicity or future hopes I do not recollect. But du Maurier's lines
describe him and our chumship much better than any words of mine could
do. He says:--

"To BOBTAIL.

Oh, fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint
All lazy beggars like me--"

"In the sunshine of April, the April of life,
You and I and our Tag make three;
And few will deny that for such close chums
A queer set of fellows are we.

For I walk slowly, and you walk fast,
And Tag lies down (not to fall);
_You_ think of the Present, _I_ think of the Past,
And Tag thinks of nothing at all.

Yet who shall be lucky, and who shall be rich?