48 DOG STORIES. 



at the stable where I had left my horse, but 

 on calling at the ironmonger's shop I found 

 he had been there and had carried off the 

 spade which I had bought, balancing it 

 carefully in his mouth. When I reached 

 home, there Nep was, lying near his kennel 

 in the stable-yard looking very fagged, but 

 wearing a countenance of the fullest self- 

 satisfaction, and evidently wishing me to 

 think he had fulfilled his " dog-duty." My 

 friend Mr. Wood, who was a thorough lover 

 and admirer of dogs, was delighted to hear 

 of his intelligent performance. 



" CANOPHILIST." 



P.S. I may add Nep always guarded me 

 when bathing, and always went into the 

 water with me, too, often uttering a peculiar 

 kind of " howl." 



