290 NATURAL HISTORY READER. 



2. Among the frequenters of this fashionable resort was 

 a gentleman of some position, who was the owner of a fine 

 Newfoundland dog which inherited the time-honored 

 possessions of that noble breed — very great power and 

 facility in swimming ; and, at the period of the evening 

 when the jetty was most crowded with promenaders, his 

 master delighted to put this animal through a series of 

 aquatic performances for the entertainment of the assem- 

 bled spectators. Amusement being at a premium on the 

 coast, these nightly performances grew into something like 

 an "institution," and the brave "Captain" — for such was 

 his name — speedily became a universal favorite on the jetty. 



3. It happened, however, that among the new arrivals 

 on the coast there came a certain major in her majesty's 

 army, accompanied by two bull-dogs of unusual size and 

 strength, and of great value ; but, value in a bull-dog 

 being inversely proportionate to its beauty, the appearance 

 of the major and his dogs excited no very enthusiastic 

 pleasure among the aesthetic strollers on the jetty. On the 

 first night on which the major presented himself nothing 

 unusual occurred, and Captain dived and swam as before. 

 But on the second evening the brave old favorite was walk- 

 ing quietly behind his master down the jetty, when, as 

 they were passing by the major and his dogs, one of these 

 ugly brutes flew at Captain and caught him by the neck 

 in such a way as to render his great size utterly useless for 

 his defense. A violent struggle ensued, but the bull-dog 

 came off the victor, for he stuck to his foe like a leech, and 

 could only be forced to release his hold by the insertion of 

 a bar of iron between his teeth. 



4. The indignation of the by-standers against the major 

 was, of course, very great ; and its fervor was not a little 

 increased when they saw the poor Captain wending his 

 way homeward bleeding, and bearing all the marks of de- 

 feat. Some two or three evenings after this occurrence, 



