222 QUADRUPEDAL FRIENDSHIP. 



stones. A cat was enjoying a siesta in the sun. ; catch- 

 ing sight of the stranger, he was as much terrified as a 

 squirrel at the apparition of a dog, and made such a leap, 

 that the stag, not less surprised, unconsciously imitated 

 his example. The poor animal endeavoured to recover 

 himself, but a precipice yawned behind him, and he fell 

 back into the inner courtyard, breaking every limb. 

 The Highlanders rushed out at the sound of his fall ; but 

 he was dead. His head had disappeared in the depths of 

 a great pit which his antlers had excavated. The leap 

 was fully two hundred feet, and his fate was inevitable. 

 Close beside his mangled body sat his friend, the New- 

 foundland dog, barking terribly, and licking the lustreless 

 eyes of his unfortunate companion. It was a truly pathetic 

 spectacle, and it was with great difficulty the living was 

 separated from the dead. 



This Newfoundland dog had formerly belonged to the 

 marines of the American frigate Constitution. His master 

 dined at the Highlanders' table on the occasion of the 

 first appearance of the stag, for whom the dog immedi- 

 ately formed so strong an attachment that neither threats, 

 caresses, nor blows could induce him to leave his newly- 

 discovered friend. Under these circumstances his owner 

 could do nothing less than offer the dog to the High- 

 landers, who gladly accepted the present, and brought up 

 in company the two attached comrades. 



He lived four years after the death of the stag. At an 

 inspection of the Highland Company, having bitten the 

 commanding officer, he was condemned to expiate his 

 crime in the usual manner ; was led to the bank of the 

 Haarlem river, bound to a post, and formally shot by a 

 platoon of four infantry soldiers. 



