THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 



An unexpected meeting. 



was hardly before the fire, when he was saluted 

 with equal surprise and kindness by his former 

 dog, old Brutus, who came wagging his tail, and 

 demonstrating all the gladness he could express, 

 Archer immediately knew the animal, and was 

 astonished at thus unexpectedly finding him so 

 many miles from home; he did not, however, 

 think proper to enquire of his host, at that time, 

 how he came into his possession ; as the appear- 

 ance of every thing about him rendered his situ- 

 ation very unpleasant. By this time it was dark, 

 the weather continued rainy, and no opportunity 

 presented itself to the unfortunate grazier, by 

 which he might pursue his journey. He en- 

 quired of the landlord where he was? but re- 

 ceived the unpleasant intelligence that he was 

 fourteen miles from Paisley, and that if he ven- 

 tured out again before day-light, it was almost 

 impossible for him to find his way, as the night 

 was so bad ; but if he chose to remain where he 

 was, every thing should be done to render his 

 situation comfortable. The grazier was at a loss 

 kow to act; he did not like the house he was in, 

 nor the suspicious looks of the host and family : 

 but to go out in the wood during the night, and 

 to encounter the violence of the conflicting ele- 

 ments, might, in all probability, turn out more 

 fatal than to remain where he was. He there- 

 fore resolved to wait the return of morning; and 

 after a short conversation he was conducted to 

 , JMI apartment, and left to take his repose. 

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