LXXVI

CHOOSING THE LEAST OF TWO EVILS

A french dog was taught by his master to run many different errands, among others to bring him his meals from a restaurant. The dog carried the food in a basket, and one evening, when the dog was returning to his master with his dinner, two other dogs, attracted by the savory smell coming from the basket, made up their minds to attack him. The dog put his basket on the ground and set himself courageously against the first one that advanced against him; but while he was fighting with one, the other ran to the basket, and began to help himself. At length, seeing that there was no chance of beating both dogs, and saving his master's dinner, he threw himself between his two opponents, and without further ceremony, quickly ate up the rest of the food himself, and then returned to his master with the empty basket.

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LXXVII

GOING TO MARKET

A butcher and cattle dealer had a dog which he usually took with him when he drove cattle to market at a town some nine miles distant from his home, to be sold. The dog was very clever at managing the cattle.

At last, so sure was the master of the wisdom and faithfulness of his dog, that he made a wager that he would trust him with a certain number of sheep and oxen, and let him drive them to the market all by himself.

It was agreed that no person should be within sight or hearing--at least no one who had any control over the dog; nor was anybody to interfere or be within a quarter of a mile.

On the day of the trial, the dog went about his business in the most skilful and knowing manner; and although he had often to drive his charge through the herds that were grazing, yet he never lost one, but conducting them into the very yard to which he was wont to drive them when with his master, he delivered them up to the person appointed to receive them.

What more particularly marked the dog's sagacity was, that, when the path the herd travelled lay through a spot where others were grazing, he would run forward, stop his own drove, and then driving the others from each side of the path, collect his scattered charge and then go on again. He was several times afterward sent thus alone for the amus.e.m.e.nt of the curious or the convenience of his master, and always did his work in the same adroit and intelligent manner.

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LXXVIII

THE CATCHER CAUGHT

During a sudden flood in the Rhine, a hare, unable to find a way of escape through the water to higher land, climbed up a tree. One of the boatmen rowing about to a.s.sist the unfortunate people, seeing her, rowed up to the tree, and, eager for the game, climbed it, without properly fastening his boat.

The frightened hare, as its pursuer came near, sprang from the tree into the boat, which thus set in motion, floated away, leaving its owner in the tree in dread of being washed away by the current. After several hours' anxiety, he was seen, and taken off by some of his companions.

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LXXIX

SNAKE DESTROYERS

The Indian ichneumon, a small creature, looking like both the weasel and the mongoose, is of great use to the natives because of its great hatred of snakes, which would otherwise make every footstep of the traveller most dangerous. This little creature, on seeing a snake, no matter how large, will instantly dart on it, and seize it by the throat, if he finds himself in an open place, where he has a chance of running to a certain herb, which he some way knows to be an antidote against the poison of the bite, if he should happen to receive one. A gentleman visiting the island of Ceylon saw the experiment tried in a closed room, where the ichneumon, instead of attacking his enemy, did all in his power to avoid him. On being carried out of the house, however, and put near his antagonist in the field, he at once darted at the snake, and soon killed it. It then suddenly disappeared for a few minutes, and again returned as soon as it had found and eaten the herb it knew was an antidote.

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Lx.x.x

MUSICAL MICE

"One rainy winter evening, as I was alone in my room," says an American gentleman, "I took up my flute and began to play. In a few minutes my attention was directed to a mouse that I saw creeping from a hole, and coming toward the chair in which I was sitting. I stopped playing, and it ran quickly back to its hole. I began again shortly afterward, and was much surprised to see it reappear, and take its old position. The actions of the little animal were truly amusing. It lay down on the floor, shut its eyes, and seemed delighted, but the minute I stopped my playing, it instantly disappeared again. This experiment I often repeated with the same result. I also noted that the mouse was differently affected, as the music varied from the slow and sad to the brisk or lively. It finally went away, and all my art could not coax it to return."

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Lx.x.xI

A CARRIER'S DOG

A carrier on his way to a market town had to stop at some houses by the roadside, in the way of his business, leaving his cart and horse upon the public road, under the protection of a pa.s.senger and a trusty dog.

Upon his return he missed one of the women pa.s.sengers, and likewise a led horse which was owned by a gentleman of the neighborhood. The horse he was taking along, tied to the end of the cart. On inquiry he found out that during his absence, the woman, who had been anxious to try the mettle of the pony, had mounted it, and the animal had set off at full speed. The carrier expressed much anxiety for the safety of the young woman, casting at the same time an expressive look at his dog. Oscar observed his master's eye, and aware of its meaning, instantly set off in pursuit of the pony. Coming up with it soon after, he made a sudden spring, seized the bridle, and held the animal fast. Several people, having seen his actions, and the dangerous situation of the girl, hastened to her aid. Oscar, however, notwithstanding their repeated endeavors, would not let go his hold, and the pony was actually led into the stable with the dog still clinging to it. When the carrier entered the stable, Oscar wagged his tail in token of his satisfaction, and at once gave up the bridle to his master.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A Carrier's Dog.--Page 160]

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Lx.x.xII

A TAME COLONY

A well-known traveller, in describing the Island of Tristan d'Acunha, states that the animals found on this lonely spot were so tame, that it was necessary to clear a path right through the ma.s.s of birds which were sitting on the rocks, and this was done by simply kicking them aside.

One kind of seal did not move at all when struck or pelted, and at last some of the company amused themselves by mounting them, and riding them into the sea.

Lx.x.xIII

THE BEAR CUBS