XLVII.—A Moral Tale 



THE general slipperiness of things has been 

 a great boon to Sheppy. Although I have 

 seen him lose his footing several times, he 

 gets along much better than the cows or 

 the colts. As it is his daily chore to start the ani- 

 mals on their way to the Government drain to get 

 their drink, he is now able to satisfy some old 

 grudges. In ordinary weather he has to be very 

 watchful for flying heels and prodding horns, but 

 just now the animals have to concentrate their minds 

 on keeping their feet under them, and are at a dis- 

 advantage when it comes to self-defence. Sheppy 

 is now able to slip in on them and nip their heels, 

 and they do not dare to take a chance on kicking 

 at him. They find it hard enough to navigate with 

 all four feet under them and their toe nails all in 

 use, and an attempt to balance on two feet, or even 

 three, would almost surely mean disaster. He was 

 having such a high old time that I was thinking of 

 scolding him away at watering time, but this morn- 



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