DOG KIND. 23 



" When Alexander was pursuing his conquests 

 in India, one of the principal men of that coun- 

 try was desirous of shewing him the value of the 

 dogs which his country produced. Bringing his 

 dog into the king's presence, he ordered a stag to 

 be let loose before him, which the dog despising as 

 an unworthy enemy, remained quite regardless of 

 the animal, and never once stirred from his place. 

 His master then ordered a wild boar to be set out ; 

 but the dog thought even this a despicable foe, 

 and remained calm and regardless as before. He 

 was next tried with a bear ; but still despising his 

 enemy, he only waited for an object more worthy 

 of his courage and his force. At last they brought 

 forth a tremendous lion, and then the dog acknow- 

 ledged his antagonist, and prepared for combat. 

 He instantly discovered a degree of ungovernable 

 ardour ; and, flying at the lion with fury, seized 

 him by the throat, and totally disabled him from 

 resistance. Upon this the Indian, who was de- 

 sirous of surprising the king, and knowing the 

 constancy and bravery of his dog, ordered his tail 

 to be cut off; which was easily performed, as the 

 bold animal was employed in holding the lion. 

 He next ordered one of his legs to be broken ; 

 which, however, did not in the least abate the 

 dog's ardour, but he still kept his hold as before. 

 Another leg was then broken ; but the dog, as if 

 he had suffered no pain, only pressed the lion still 

 the more. In this cruel manner, all his legs were 

 cut off, without abating his courage ; and at last, 

 when even his head was separated from his body, 

 the jaws seemed to keep their former hold. A 



