120 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Prevention of robbery and murder. * 



. 1 . . 



self in the bed-room. Being deemed an intru- 

 der, he was instantly ordered to be turned out; 

 which being complied with, the poor animal be- 

 gan scratching violently at the door, and howl- 

 ing loudly for admission. The servant was sent 

 to driye him away. Discouragement, however, 

 could not check his intended labour of love; he 

 returned again, and was more importunate to be 

 let in than before. 



Sir Harry, weary of opposition, though sur- 

 prised beyond measure at the dog's apparent 

 fondness for the society of a master who had 

 never shown him the least kindness, and wishing 

 to retire to rest, bade the servant open the door, 

 that they might see what he wanted to do. This 

 tlone, the mastiff, with a wag of the tail, and a 

 look of affection at his lord, deliberately walked 

 up, and crawling under the bed, laid himself 

 down, as if desirous to take up his night's lodg- 

 ing there. 



To save farther trouble, and not from any par- 

 tiality for his company, this indulgence was al- 

 lowed. The valet withdrew, and all was still. 

 About the solemn hour of midnight, the chamber 

 door opened, and a person was heard stepping 

 across the room. Sir Harry started from sleep; 

 the dog sprung from his covert, and, seizing the 

 unwelcome disturber, fixed him to the spot. 



All was dark ; Sir Harry rang his bell in great 

 trepidation, in order to procure a light. The 

 person who was pinned to the floor by the cou- 



