THE DOG. 85 



u So saying, he drew a pistol from his pocket, but, 

 " from affection to his favourite, averted his head : the 

 " ball, however, performed its embassy, for the dog 

 " was mortally wounded, though not dead. The bleed- 

 " ing animal endeavoured to crawl towards its master, 

 " whose feelings revolted at the affecting sight, and, 

 " spurring on his horse, he pursued his journey, with 

 " the image of his expiring favourite strongly impress- 

 " ed upon his mind. < How unfortunate I am !' said he, 

 " mentally ; * I had rather have lost my money than a 

 " dog I so much prized !' — when, stretching out his 

 " hand as if to grasp the treasure, neither bag nor money 

 " were to be seen. His eyes were instantly opened to 

 u conviction : And, ' what a wretch I have been !' he 

 " suddenly exclaimed : ' Poor faithful creature ! how 

 " have I rewarded thy fidelity ? Oh, madness of recol- 

 " lection, how severely am I to be blamed !' 



" He immediately turned his horse, and set off with 

 " the fleetest motion, and soon came to the spot where 

 " the proof of his folly was displayed ; and every drop 

 " of blood that he saw seemed to reproacb him with in- 

 " justice, and every feeling of his heart was severely 

 " pained. These sanguinary drops proved a sufficient 

 " direction for the faithful creature's footsteps to be 

 (t traced, and he was found stretched beside the treasure 

 " he had been so anxious to take care off, and which 

 " had been the primary means of depriving him of life. 



" When the merchant beheld him still guarding his 

 " possession, though struggling with death and agonized 

 " with pain, his sensations of remorse were very much 

 " heightened ; but all hopes of preserving his existence 

 " proved vain. The poor animal no sooner perceived 

 " his master approaching, than he testified his joy by 

 *' the wagging of his tail ; and absolutely expired in 



g 3 



