84 THE DOG. 



" ing "any kind of meat. Four-and-twenty hours did 

 " this faithful creature employ in attempting to scratch 

 " the earth from the body it contained, when nature, 

 " exhausted by exertion and attachment, found each 

 * attempt grow still more weak and vain : a sudden 

 " shriek testified his anguish ; a convulsive motion 

 " shook his frame ; and, stretching himself upon the 

 " ashes that concealed the object of his affection, he 

 " relinquished a life of fidelity and pain !" 



" A French merchant having some money due from 

 " a correspondent, set out on horseback to receive it, 

 " accompanied by his dog ; and having settled the bu- 

 " siness to his satisfaction, placed it in the bag that 

 " contained his clothes. Finding himself rather fa- 

 " tigued with his journey, he resolved to repose under 

 " a hedge, and untying the bag from the front of his 

 " saddle, placed it carefully under his head. 



" After having remained some time in this situation, 

 " he found himself entirely recovered from fatigue ; 

 " and, wholly absorbed in some pleasing reflections, he 

 " remounted, without even a thought of the bag. The 

 " dog, who had witnessed this mark of inattention, at- 

 " tempted to recal his recollection by barks and screams'; 

 " and, finding the bag too heavy for his utmost exer- 

 " tion, ran howling after him, and caught the horse by 

 " his heels. Roused by this mark of what he thought 

 " sudden madness, he resolved to watch the animal's 

 " motions when he approached a stream, and, perceiv- 

 " ing he did not attempt to quench his thirst as usual, 

 " was absolutely confirmed in the belief that he was 

 " mad. * My poor animal,' said the afflicted mer- 

 " chant, ' and must I, in justice, take away thy life ? 

 " alas !' continued he, ' it is an act of necessity, for 

 " there, is no one to perform the office in my place 



