THE DALMATIAN DOG. 145 



Friendship contracted between a lamb and a dog. 



the way from Stirling, he had been amusing him- 

 self with playing these pranks, the sheep flying 

 from him in all directions, when a black lamb 

 turned upon him, and looked him full in the face. 

 He seemed astonished for an instant ; but, before 

 he could rally his resolution, the lamb began to 

 paw and play with him. It is impossible to de- 

 scribe the effect this had upon him ; his tail was 

 between his legs, he appeared in the utmost 

 dread, and slunk away confused and distressed. 

 Presently his new acquaintance invited him, by 

 all manner of gambols, to be friends with him. 

 What a moment for Pythagoras or Lavater! 

 Gradually overcoming his fears, he accepted this 

 brotherly challenge, and they raced away toge- 

 ther, and rolled over one another like two kittens. 

 Presently appeared another object of distress. 

 The shepherd's boy came to reclaim his lamb ; 

 it paid no attention, except to the dog, and they 

 were presently at a considerable distance. We 

 slackened our pace for the convenience of the 

 boy; but nothing would do : we could no more 

 call off the dog than he could catch the lamb. 

 They continued sporting in this manner for more 

 than a mile and a half. At length, having taken 

 a circuit, they were in our rear ; and, after we 

 had crossed a small bridge, the boy with his pole 

 kept the lamb at bay, and at length caught him, 

 and tied his plaid round him to prevent an. 

 escape. Out of fear of the boy, and in obedi- 

 ence to us, the dog followed reluctantly ; but the 

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