CHARACTER OF THE DOG. 21 



allusion to its tawny color and something of mag- 

 nanimity in his looks, he was called Lion. Of a 

 mild, peaceable disposition, though brave as his 

 royal namesake, he was a favorite with all visit- 

 ors to the store, and only an object of terror and 

 dislike to thieves and marauders. His master 

 had refused large offers for him ; and at the period 

 to which we particularly refer, he was in the 

 very prime of his days. 



About five miles north-west of the village and 

 three from the main road, was a track of hilly 

 land, known in the township as the Hampton 

 farm, a large portion of which was devoted to the 

 rearing of sheep. 



The Hampton farm had, at different periods, 

 suffered, as was supposed, from depredations of 

 wolves, which, though becoming scarce in the 

 forests of the vicinity, were still occasionally to 

 be met with. 



For more than a year not an individual had 

 been shot in the township; nevertheless, sheep 

 were still worried, from time to time, and suspi- 

 cion at last fell upon the dogs of the neighbor- 

 hood. But the strictest scrutiny failed to detect 

 a single plague spot; and, accordingly, the whole 

 corporation of curs was pronounced to be sound . 



The charge then reverted to the wolves; but, 



