A SUPPOSITION 157 



too clear to admit of any but a unanimous vote in the 

 dog's favor." 



"Yes, my friend," his uncle rejoined, "unani- 

 mous, even to the vote of your Uncle Paul, who for 

 some moments has been making you live Robinson 

 Crusoe's life in imagination for the express pur- 

 pose of leading you to decide for yourselves in favor 

 of the dog. 



"In the early days, centuries and centuries ago, 

 man lived mostly by the chase, as to-day the last sur- 

 viving savage tribes still live. The raising of herds, 

 the tilling of the soil, the manufacture of goods, all 

 were unknown. Wild animals, hunted in the forests 

 with stone weapons and pointed sticks, furnished al- 

 most the only resource. Their flesh gave food, their 

 skins provided clothing. To catch the game, a fleet- 

 footed auxiliary in the chase was necessary ; to keep 

 these dangerous animals in a proper state of awe, a 

 courageous defender was needed by man. This aux- 

 iliary, this defender, and, best of all, this friend, 

 devoted even to death, was the dog; a gift from 

 Heaven to help man in his pitiful beginnings. With 

 the aid of the dog, life was rendered less perilous, 

 food more assured. Leisure followed, and from be- 

 ing a hunter man became a herdsman. The herd was 

 formed, at first very indocile and at the slightest lack 

 of watchfulness taking again to the wild life of old. 

 Its keeping was confided to the dog, which, posted on 

 some rising ground of the pasture, its scent to the 

 wind and ear on the watch, followed the herd with 



