no&, 427 
posing, almost miraculously, for the protection of the 
innocent. 
Mr. Johnson, a traveller from Manchester, on 
his rout through Scotland, on horseback, was be- 
nighted ; and passing a small public house on the 
road, he thought it better to take up his lodging 
there if possible, than to proceed further that night 
On entering the house, he found only an old wo- 
man, who, to his inquiries, answered, that she would 
accomodate him with a bed, and provide for the 
horse in a small shed, if he would assist her in 
giving him hay, &c., as there was no other person 
then in the house. This was agreed to by Mr. 
* Johnson, who, after taking a little refreshment, was 
shewn by the old woman to his bed-room. 
A large Dane dog, which accompanied him on his 
journey, offered to go up to the room along with him, 
which the old woman strongly objected to ; but Mr. 
Johnson firm./ persisted in having him admit- 
ted. The dog, on his entrance, began to growl, 
and was very unruly. His master attempted to 
quiet him in vain — he kept growling and looking 
angrily under the bed, which induced Mr. Johnson 
to look likewise, when, to his great astonishment, he 
saw a man concealed at the further end. Oil en- 
couraging the dog, he sprung immediately at the 
man, while Mr. Johnson seized his pistols, and 
presenting one to the man, who had a large knife in 
his hand, and was struggling with the dog, swore 
that he would instantly shoot him, if he made further 
resistance. The man then submitted to be bound, 
and acknowledged his intention was to rob and 
murder Mr. Johnson, which was thus providen- 
tially prevented by the wonderful sagacity of hig 
faithful dog. Mr. Johnson after properly fastening 
the man, and securing the door, went (accompanied 
by his dog) to the shed where his horse was left, 
which he instantly mounted, and escaped without 
