238 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



the extremely hoarse and cracked tone is con- 

 cerned." 



" A dog often howls for want of something else to 

 do, when it is shut up," remarked Louis. "That 

 would not be a sign of madness?" 



"No, my friend. Ordinary howling denotes a 

 passing feeling of gloom, ennui, fright ; and this cry 

 cannot be confounded with the veritable howl of 

 rabies, the characteristics of which are very differ- 

 ent. This latter begins with a perfect bark and sud- 

 denly passes into a sharp and prolonged howl com- 

 parable to the cock's crow. 



"As long as the furious madness that will end the 

 progress of the malady is not declared, the animal 

 is harmless ; but it is unnecessary, it would even be 

 dangerous, to wait so long. If the peculiar howl of 

 rabies is heard, doubt is no longer possible : the dog 

 is unquestionably mad. For our safety and also to 

 spare the poor animal the tortures awaiting it, the 

 dog should be killed at once. In the animal's inter- 

 est as well as our own, it is a kind action." 



"Poor dog!" murmured Jules. "The master 

 gives it a last look of regret, and, with tears in his 

 eyes, lodges a ball in its head." 



