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ly opened the door, honest Brutus at his heels, with his shaggy hair erect, like the bristles of a boar bent on destruction. He reached the bottom of the stairs with as much caution as possible, and listened with attention for a few minutes, when he heard a conversation that was held by several persons, whom he had not seen when he first came into the house, which left him no reason to doubt of their intention. The villainous landlord was informing them, in a low tone, of the booty they would find in the possession of their guest, and the moment they were to murder him for that purpose! Alarmed, as Archer was, he immediately concluded no time was to be lost in doing his best endeavours to save his life. He, therefore, without hesitation, burst in amongst them, and fired a pistol at the landlord, who fell from his seat. The rest of the gang were struck with astonishment at so sudden an attack, while the Grazier made for the door, let himself out, and fled with rapidity, followed by the dog. A musket was discharged after him, but fortunately did not do any injury. With all the speed that danger could create, he ran until day-light enabled him to perceive a house, and the main road at no great distance. To this house he immediately went, and related all that he had seen, to the Landlord, who immediately called up a recruting party that were quartered on him, the serjeant of which accompanied the Grazier in search of the house in the wood. The services and sagacity of the faithful dog, were now more than ever rendered conspicuous, for by running before his company, and his singular behaviour, he led them to the desired spot. On entering the house, not a living creature was to be seen; all had deserted it. They therefore began to explore the apartments, and found, in the very closet, the appearance of which had led the Grazier to attempt his escape, the murdered remains of a traveller, who had been advertised in the country. On coming into the lower room, the dog began to rake the earth near the fire-place with his feet, in such a manner as to raise the curiosity of all present. The serjeant ordered the place to be dug up, when a trap-door was discovered, which, on being opened, was found to contain the mangled bodies of many that had been robbed and murdered, with the landlord himself, who was not quite dead, though he had been shot through the neck by the Grazier. The wretches, in their quick retreat, had thrown him in, amongst the rest of those, who had fallen victims to their cruelty, supposing him past recovery; he was, however, cured of his wounds, and brought to justice, tried, found guilty, and executed. Thus was the life of a man preserved, by the sagacity and attachment of a valuable Quadruped!

II.

THE MERCHANT'S DOG.

A French merchant having some money due from a correspondent, set out on horseback, accompanied by his dog, on purpose to receive it. Having settled the business to his satisfaction, he tied the bag of money before him, and began to return home. His faithful dog, as if he enter ed into his master's feelings, frisked about the horse, barked, and jumped, and seemed to participate in his joy.

The merchant, after riding some miles, had occasion to alight, and taking the bag of money in his hands, laid it down by his side under a hege, and on remounting, forgot it. The dog perceived his lapse of recollection, and wishing to rectify it, ran to fetch the bag, but it was too heavy for him to drag along. He then hastened to his master, and by crying, barking, and howling, seemed to remind him of his mistake. The merchant understood not his language; but the assiduous creature persevered in his efforts, and after trying to stop the horse in vain, at last began to bite his heels.

The merchant, absorbed in some reverie, wholly over-looked the real object of his affectionate attendant's importunity, but waked to the alarming apprehension that he was gone mad. Full of this suspicion, in crossing a brook, he turned back to see if the animal would drink. It was too intent on its master's service to think of itself; it continued to bark and bite with greater violence than before.

Mercy!' cried the afflicted merchant, it must be so; my poor dog is certainly mad. What must I do? I must kill him, lest some greater misfortune befal me, but with what regret! Oh, could I find any one person to perform this cruel office for me!......but there is no time to lose: I myself may become the victim, if I spare him.'

With these words he drew a pistol from his pocket, and with a trembling hand, took aim at his faithful servant. He turned away, in agony as he fired, but his aim was too sure. The poor animal falls wounded; and weltering in his blood, still endeavours to crawl towards his master, as if to tax him with ingratitude. The merchant could not

bear the sight; he spurred on his horse, with a heart full of sorrow, and Jamented he had taken a journey which had cost him so dear. Still, however, the money never entered his mind; he only thought of his poor dog, and tried to console himself with the reflection, that he had prevented a greater evil, by dispatching a mad animal, than he had suffered a calamity by his loss. This opiate to his wounded spirit, was ineffectual: I am most unfortunate,' said he to himself; I had almost rather have lost my money, than my dog.' Saying this, he stretched 'out his hand to grasp his treasure. It was missing......no bag was to be found. In an instant he opened his eyes to his rashness and folly. Wretch that I am! I alone, am to blame. I could not comprehend the admonition which my best and most faithful friend gave me, and I have sacrificed him for his zeal. He only wished to inform me of my mistake, and he has paid for his fidelity with his life.

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Instantly he turned his horse, and set off at full gallop to the place where he had stopped. He saw, with half-averted eyes, the scene where the tragedy was acted; he perceived traces of blood as he proceeded; he was oppressed and distracted: but in vain did he look for his dog......he was not to be seen on the road. At last he arrived at the spot where he had alighted. But what were his sensations! His heart was ready to bleed;......he cursed himself, in the madness of despair. The poor dog, unable to follow his dear, but cruel master, had determined to consecrate his last moments to his service. He had crawled, all bloody as he was, to the forgotten bag, and, in the agonies of death, lay watching beside it. When he saw his master, he still testified his joy, by wagging his tail......he could do no more......he tried to rise, but his strength was gone...... The vital tide was ebbing fast: even the caresses of his master could not prolong his fate for a few moments,

He stretched out his tongue to lick the hand that was now fondling him in the agonies of regret, as if to seal forgiveness for the deed that had deprived him of life. He then cast a look of kindness on his master, and closed his eyes for ever!!!

III.

THE FRIENDLY DOGS.

A traveller belonging to a considerable house in the city, was very fond of a small French spaniel, belonging to the lady of the house, which had been accustomed to follow him, and was therefore occasionally confided to his care. He began a journey, and did not perceive, till he was near twenty miles from home, that the little dog had accompanied him. He found himself in a very unpleasant dilemma; but after some consideration, he made up his mind as to what conduct would be most expedient to adopt. It was impossible to send the dog from the place where he had discovered him; but he recollected that about thirty miles farther on he might entrust him with great confidence to the care of a landlord, who, he was sure, would get him safely conveyed in the waggon to town. This he resolved to do, having previously written home to that effect, to avoid uneasiness.

When he arrived at the inn, he committed the dog to the care of the landlord, as he intended, and pursued his journey. His route being circuitous, he had occasion, in the course of a few days, to return to this very inn. The first thing he did was to enquire after the little dog, and was told by the landlord, with great concern, that he was lost, and that the particulars of the accident were these:......He had, by some means, been severely treated by the yard-dog, from which moment he had disappeared, and eluded every search that had been made after him. The traveller, extremely concerned at this intelligence, made every possible enquiry for the dog, without effect, and went to bed.

The next morning he heard a noise, as if dogs were fighting in the yard; and, his mind being alive to the circumstance of having lost the little spaniel, his curiosity was naturally excited, and he ran to the scene of action, where he saw two large dogs fighting, and a little one looking

on.

The fact turned out, that the little dog, after having been beaten, had gone home, made the house-dog acquainted with the circumstance, and brought him to revenge his cause. This is very strong, it must be confessed; but I declare that my mind does not revolt at it. I know it to be possible, supposing the distance to be only two miles; why should it not then be true, supposing it to be fifty? The condition of the little dog, manifested sufficiently to his friend and protector the treatment he had received: and for the rest, we know that dogs will, in an astonishing manner, retrace their steps.

IV.

THE DOG OF THE CONVENT.

At a Convent in France, twenty paupers were served with a dinner, at a given hour every day. A dog belonging to the Convent did not fail to be present at this regale, because of the odds and ends which were now and then thrown down to him. The guests, however, were poor and hungry, and of course not very wasteful, so that their pensioner did little more than scent the feast of which he would fain have partaken. The portions were served one by one, at the ringing of a bell, and delivered out by means of what, in religious houses, is called a tour, which is a machine like the section of a cask, that turning round upon a pivot, exhibits whatever is placed on the concave side, without discovering the person who moves it.

One day this dog, who had only received a few scraps, waited till the paupers were all gone, took the rope in his mouth and rang the bell. This stratagem succeeded. He repeated it the next day, with the same good fortune. At length the cook, finding that twenty-one portions were given out, instead of twenty, was determined to discover the trick, in doing which, he had no great difficulty; for lying perdu and noticing the paupers as they came in great regularity for their different portions, and that there was no intruder except the dog, he began to suspect the real truth, which he was confirmed in, when he saw him wait with great deliberation till the visitors were all gone, and then pull the bell. The matter was related to the community, and, to reward him for his ingenuity, he was permitted to ring the bell every day for his dinner, when a mess of broken victuals was purposely served out to him.

V.

THE COURTIER'S DOG.

In the reign of Charles the fifth, of France, a gentleman of the name of Aubri, accompanied by a dog, was assassinated in a wood, and buried at the foot of a tree. The dog, it was supposed, remained on the spot till he was nearly famished, for in that condition he came to Paris, to the house of his master's particular friend, and howled most piteously. He had scarcely satisfied the cravings of his appetite, when his agitation grew more violent. He ran to the door, appeared by his actions as if he wanted somebody to follow him, pulled his master's friend by the coat, and grew more and more impatient. The singularity of these actions in the dog, his returning without his master, the inquietude which had been caused by the absence of the master himself, who, by appointment, ought, long before that time, to have been at Paris; these, and other circumstances, determined the friend, in company with others, to follow the dog, who conducted him to the foot of a tree, and then redoubled his howlings and solicitude, He scratched up the earth, and manifest

ed so many signs, that, together with the appearance of the fresh mould, and a number of collateral circumstances, convinced them they ought to search for the body of the unfortunate Aubri, which they now began to believe was buried there, and which, in fact, they found.

The Chevalier Macaire, as a person inimical to the interests of Aubri, and in particular on account of his high favour with the king, they all suspected to have a hand in the murder. The friend took an opportunity of shewing Macaire to the dog, unexpectedly. He instantly grew outrageous, and endeavoured to fly at him; but the friend, who had taken his precautions, for that time, prevented him. Determined, however to revenge Aubri, he made all he suspected known to the king, who commended him for what he had done, and appointed him at a given time, to appear at the palace, accompanied by the dog. They were introduced among the Courtiers, who caressed the dog, and to whom he shewed every respect and attention; but the moment Macaire came into the room, who had been purposely kept back, he flew at his throat. The matter was, in consequence more particularly enquired into; till from a train of circumstances, and, at length, his own confession, he was found guilty of the murder, and suffered death.

VI.

THE GRATEFUL DOG.

A gentleman, who usually spent the winter months in the Capital of North Britain, having gone with his family to his country seat, left the care of his town-residence, together with a favourite house-dog, to some servants, who were placed on board wages. The animal soon found that board wages were very short allowance; and to make up the deficiency, he had recourse to the kitchen of a friend of his master's, which in better days he had occasionally visited. By a hearty meal which he received there daily, he was enabled to keep himself in good condition, till the return of his master's family to town, on the approach of winter. Though now restored to peace and plenty at home, and standing in no need of foreign liberality, he did not forget that hospita ble kitchen, where he had found a resource in his adversity. A few days after, happening to saunter about the streets, he fell in with a duck, which as he found it in no private pond, he probably concluded to be no private property. He snatched up the duck with his teeth, carried it to the kitchen where he had been so hospitably fed, laid it at the cook's feet, with many polite movements of his tail, and then ran off with much seeming complacency, at having given this grateful testimony of the favours he had received from him.

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