THE GOAT. 173 



aperture, through which the fugitive crept, and dragged 

 his provisions along with him. A little way from the 

 mouth it became much higher, and, indeed, was rather 

 lofty in the roof j but, on advancing, an obstacle impeded 

 his progress. He drew his dirk, but was unwilling to 

 strike, lest he might take away the life of a fellow-crea- 

 ture in seclusion ; and, stooping down, he discovered it 

 was a goat with her kid lying on the ground. He soon 

 found that the animal was in great pain, and, feeling her 

 body and limbs, ascertained that one of her legs had 

 been fractured. He bound it up with his garter, and 

 offered her some of his bread j but she refused to eat, 

 and stretched out her tongue, showing that her mouth 

 was parched with thirst. He then gave her water, 

 which she drank eagerly ; and after her thirst was allayed, 

 she partook of the bread. 



At the dead hour of night he ventured from the cave, 

 and, after listening attentively, he pulled a quantity 

 of grass and the tender branches of trees, and carried 

 them to the sufferer, by whom they were received with 

 expressions of gratitude. The only thing which the 

 fugitive had to employ him in his drear abode, was 

 administering comfort to the goat, and even for the pre- 

 sence of this living creature he felt thankful. The goat 

 quickly recovered, and felt to him a strong attachment. 



