PRINCE MORDGE. 263 



this. He had led the bull quite away from the direc- 

 tion in which I had fled, and, by perpetual badgering, 

 roused its wrath to madness, and made it forget me 

 entirely. I got the wall between me and danger, and 

 there waited the sequel 



Although Slop was very much engrossed with the 

 bull, he yet knew when I was safe, and as soon as he 

 became aware of that fact, he whisked about without 

 caring what became of his foe. Flying full speed 

 across the hill. Slop came to my feet, panting, but 

 delighted ; and the " black baste 0' Skae " was left 

 searching madly for a vanished antagonist. 



Young dogs were frequently introduced into our 

 family, and to these Slop always exhibited a kindly 

 tolerance which was most impressive. He never 

 seemed jealous of them, but he seldom permitted 

 any familiarities from them, and^ we believed that he 

 suffered rather than loved them. But when he was 

 old, almost blind, and very feeble, a young Newfound- 

 land was brought home. The lads were in great 

 delight over Pirate, who was exhibited in the parlour 

 to the admiring family. Just then Slop came slowly 

 into the room. He smelt a new arrival, and went up 

 to it. Our father was caressing the pup, and Slop 

 watched them as if he were striving to understand 

 something hard to believe. 



I think some heedless words, whose import he 

 understood, must have been spoken, for all at once 

 Slop seemed to think that he was no longer of use 

 as the dog of the house, and that Pirate had come to 



