THE DOG. 



anxious about his lamb, and went to fetch it. The lamb, how- 

 ever, preferred the company of its new friend to that of the 

 boy, and refased to come. The owner of the dog then tried to 

 assist the shepherd by calling off the dog, but the latter paid 

 no more attention to his master than the lamb did to the 

 shepherd. For more than a mile and a half did these two 

 strange playfellows continue their sport ; and, as they described 

 a large circle in so doing, the owner of the dog and the shep- 

 herd were enabled to cross a stream, by means of a plank, 

 before the dog and lamb came up. When they came to the 

 bridge, the shepherd, after repelling several attempts on the 

 part of the lamb to force the passage, succeeded in securing it 

 with his crook, and prevented its escape by tying it up in his 

 plaid. Finding his companion thus subducted, the dog reluo- 

 taijtly obeyed the commands of his master, and slowly followed 

 him from the spot, while the lamb made every effort to follow 

 the dog, and tried to gain its point by jumping into the 

 stream. This adventure had rather a singular effect on the 

 dog, for he ever afterwards abstained from chasing sheep." 



Many curious stories might be told about bull-dogs, but, 

 unluckily, they are, as a rule, of a most shocking and barbar- 

 ous character, and to repeat them would be but to gratify the 

 brutal-minded, and shock those of harmonious intellect. The 

 following — the shortest, and really one of the least sanguinary 

 of the number — will serve as a specimen. Scene : a bull-ring, 

 Birmingham. Period : forty-five years ago. 



" Mr. Jackson's dog, BiUy, having been declared the victor, 

 1 gentleman, well known for his extensive betting transactions, 

 stepped up to where the dog's master and his friends were col- 

 lected round the exhausted BiUy. ' I'U wager fifty pounds to 

 ten,' said the gentleman, ' that he don't pin another buU within 

 two hours of this.' 'Pshaw,' replied Mr. Jackson, 'you 

 would lose your money, sir. He could do it with his front 

 paw lopped off.' ' I'U wager five fifties to five tens he don't,' 

 laughed the gentleman. ' Done ! ' replied Mr. Jackson ; and 

 calling for a cleaver he at a blow lopped off a paw, and, a fresh 

 bull being provided, the gallant ' BUly,' without a. moment's 

 hesitation, limped to the charge on his three legs. The applause 

 )f the crowd was tremendous. ' I'D. double stakes that he 

 does the trick on two feet,' exclaimed the delighted Mr. Jack- 

 son. ' Done ! ' said the gentleman ; and again the cleaver was 

 called into operation, and poor Billy's front props reduced to 

 stumps. Still the brave dog was nothing daunted, and tackled 



