Domestic Animals 125 



They seemed so out of place, and I was so curious to know 

 whither they were bound, that I followed them unobserved. 

 They did not walk aimlessly, but as if they had some special 

 object in view, and some definite destination. 



I wondered what they would do when they reached the 

 water. I was not long in being answered. Without a moment's 

 hesitation, they plunged into the waves, side by side, and swam 

 out and away toward another island, six miles distant. I stood 

 and watched them until their two little heads looked like balls 

 bobbing up and down, side by side, all the time. 



When I related the incident to the landlord, a little later, he 

 looked astonished and annoyed. 



"Those pigs," he said, "were to have been served up for 

 dinner to-day. They were brought here this morning in a boat 

 from that island, six miles away, and we thought we might allow 

 them their freedom, never thinking of their making an attempt 

 to go home. 



"And did you notice," he continued, "they chose the point 

 of land nearest the island where they came from, to enter the 

 water? Singular that the little animals should have been so 

 bright! And, furthermore, they weren't landed there; that 

 makes it more strange." 



I, too, left the island that day, and I have never heard whether 

 these brave little pigs ever reached their destination or not. 



The children made up a game for themselves which 

 they called "The Swineherd/' playing it as they did 

 "The Shepherd," at recess; and they sang the song 



