from another hole, which served us exactly in the same manner as
before.

Peterkin now shrieked with laughter; but his merriment was abruptly
put a stop to by the gurgling noise occurring close to where he
stood.

"Where'll it spout this time, I wonder?" he said, looking about
with some anxiety, and preparing to run. Suddenly there came a
loud hiss or snort; a fierce spout of water burst up between
Peterkin's legs, blew him off his feet, enveloped him in its spray,
and hurled him to the ground. He fell with so much violence that
we feared he must have broken some of his bones, and ran anxiously
to his assistance; but fortunately he had fallen on a clump of
tangled herbage, in which he lay sprawling in a most deplorable
condition.

It was now our turn to laugh; but as we were not yet quite sure
that he was unhurt, and as we knew not when or where the next spout
might arise, we assisted him hastily to jump up and hurry from the
spot.

I may here add, that although I am quite certain that the spout of
water was very strong, and that it blew Peterkin completely off his
legs, I am not quite certain of the exact height to which it lifted
him, being somewhat startled by the event, and blinded partially by
the spray, so that my power of observation was somewhat impaired
for the moment.

"What's to be done now?" inquired Peterkin ruefully.