']■! MEI-AI, A T-VLE. May I 8, 



low. Out of a liundred thouiand, fcarcely fifty obeyed. The 

 fortrefs into which I in tended to throw myfelf was diftant 

 more than a day's jo<5rney ; a foreft lay between, and night 

 was approaching. We rode as ii death had purfued us ; 

 "we reached the foreft, and it was now midnight : our horles 

 failed us, and we were obliged to ftop. I now reckonea 

 iVie number of my companions, and the fifty had dwindled 

 into ten. The others had either been kept back by fa- 

 tigue, or had altered their minds, and thought it better to 

 return. 1 fniiled leverely, but faid not a word j I threw 

 mylelf on tlie grafs, and my attendants aiound me : My bo- 

 ibm was filled with rage and vexation, with refentment, 

 jealoufy and haired of life. But fatigue was ftronger than 

 all my paffions ; and I had not lain long till I fell alleep. 

 When I awaked after a few hours, by the glimmering of 

 the moon, 1 perceived that I was alone 5 how my atten- 

 dants ftole away I know not ; at a little diftance grazed my 

 horfe, and at my feet lay my dog. 



It is now too long lince I have entertained you; with 

 nothing but the bafenefs and tieachery of unworthy crea- 

 tures ; I rejoice that it is now at laft in my power to men- 

 tion one of a very different kind ; but in order that you 

 may the better undcrltand what follows, 1 mult firft give 

 you the hiilory of my dog. 



Of all the different forts of hunting, I had hitherto encou- 

 raged only that of the tyger, becaufe 1 elteemed it the moll 

 ufeful to my iubjecls. I obferved in one of thele expedi- 

 tions, a very young, but valiant dog, who was torn and lying 

 in his own blood, and 1 flew the tyger at the very moment 

 in which he was about to finifh his foe. The poor animal 

 howled in my face ; I ordered him immediately to be taken 

 up ; and as 1 was always accuftomed, on fuch occafions, to 

 carry about with me an admirable ballam, I poured a few 

 drops of it into the wounds of the dog : The alleviation of 

 pain which followed in confequence, made him change his 

 howl into a gentle whimper, during which he gratcfidly 

 licked my hand. 



1 repeated my orders that he (hould be particularly taken 

 care of: the dog accordingly recovered j and as I had often 

 inquired after liim, they brought him to me as ioon as he 

 was healed. He knew me immediately j and as if he had 

 been fcnilblc that I alone v.as the preferver of his life, he 



