32 THIRD KBVENING.

be kept, however, from munching his finery, when he
could reach it with his mouth. He was also rather
troublesome in thrusting his nose into the meal-tub
and flour-box, and following people into the dairy,
and sipping the milk that was set for cream. He now
and then got a blow for his imtrusion; but his mis-
tress always took his part, and indulged him in every
liberty. |

Capriole’s horns now began to bud, and a little
white beard sprouted at the end of his chin. He grew
bold enough to put himself into a fighting posture
whenever he was offended. He butted down little
Colin imto the dirt; quarrelled with the geese for
their allowance of corn; and held many a stout battle
with the old turkey-cock. Everybody said, “ Capriole
is growing too saucy, he must be sent away, or taught
better manners.” But Sylvia still stood his friend, and
he repaid her love with many tender caresses.

The farm-house where Sylvia lived was situated in
a sweet valley, by the side of a clear stream, bordered
with trees. Above the house rose a sloping meadow,
and beyond that was an open common, covered with
purple heath and yellow furze. Farther on, at some
distance, rose a steep hill, the summit of which was a
bare, craggy rock, hardly accessible to human feet.
Capriole, ranging at his pleasure, often got upon the
common, and was pleased with browsing the short
grass and wild herbs which grew there. Still, how-
ever, when his mistress came to see him, he would
run, bounding at her call, and accompany her back to
the farm. |

One fine summer’s day, Sylvia, after having finished
the business of the morning, wanted to play with her
kid; and missing him, she went to the side ot the
common, and called aloud, “ Capriole! Capriole!”’ ex-
pecting to see him come running to her, as usual. No
Capriole came. She went on and on, still calling her
kid with the most endearing accents, but nothing was
to be seen of him. Her heart began to flutter. “ Wh»