88 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



scanning his face, whilst the man rather retired from 

 the dog, by no means liking his appearance. But as 

 the man left the place, Bass followed him, showing 

 strong symptoms that he was determined to have the 

 post-bag. The man did all he could to keep possession 

 of it. But at length Bass seeing that he had no chance 

 of getting possession of the bag by civil entreaty, raised 

 himself up on his hind-legs, and putting a great fore- 

 paw on each of the man's shoulders, he laid him flat oil 

 his back in the road, and quietly picking up the bag, 

 he proceeded peaceably on his wonted way. The man, 

 much dismayed, arose and followed the dog, making 

 every now and then an ineffectual attempt to coax him 

 to give up the bag. At the first house he came to, he 

 told his fears, and the dilemma he was in; but the 

 people comforted him, by telling him that the dog 

 always carried the bag. Bass walked with the man to 

 all the houses at which he delivered letters, and along 

 the road till he came to the gate of St. Margaret's, 

 where he dropped the bag and returned home.' 



The peculiar services which the St. Bernard dog is 

 taught to perform, have made them the blessings of the 

 snow- covered regions in which they dwell. Their sense 

 of smell is very acute ; their large, full eye is very ex- 

 pressive; and their intelligence has saved many persons 

 from death, when overtaken by cold on the Alpine 

 passes. One of these noble creatures wore a medal 

 in commemoration of his having preserved twenty-two 

 lives, and he at last lost his own in an avalanche, to- 

 gether with those whom he was endeavouring to protect. 

 They carry food and wine with them; and followed 

 by the monks, who have vowed themselves to the task, 

 seek those who need assistance. 



