RAB AND HIS FRIENDS 



little man, his hand at his grey horse's head, 

 looking about angrily for something. " Rab, 

 ye thief ! " said he, aiming a kick at my great 

 friend, who drew cringing up, and avoiding 

 the heavy shoe with more agility than dignity, 

 and watching his master's eye, slunk dismayed 

 under the cart his ears down, and as much 

 as he had of tail down too. 



What a man this must be thought I to 

 whom my tremendous hero turns tail ! The 

 carrier saw the muzzle hanging, cut and use- 

 less, from his neck, and I eagerly told him 

 the story, which Bob and I always thought, 

 and still think, Homer, or King David, or 

 Sir Walter alone were worthy to rehearse. 

 The severe little man was mitigated, and 

 condescended to say, "Rab, ma man, puir 

 Rabbie," whereupon the stump of a tail 

 rose up, the ears were cocked, the eyes filled, 

 and were comforted ; the two friends were 

 reconciled. " Hupp ! " and a stroke of the whip 

 were given to Jess ; and off went the three. 



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