"THE HUMBLE FRIEND." 93

court where the watch-dog's couch stood, and from which the
cry proceeded.
 Sure enough, Dash had been a little too importunate, and
a shade indiscreet in his greeting, when Casar was engaged
with his morning meal; and the tyrant had leaped upon his
slave, rolled him over, and though Caesar had thought fit to
spare life and limb, he had planted with his fangs more than
one terrible love-token in Dash's quivering flesh.
 When Tot and Nelly ran into the court, the criminal
retired growling to his fastness, and Dash, who had actually
fainted, lay prostrate and mangled-a miserable warning to all
foolish, wayward dogs and men. He was loudly bemoaned,
tenderly borne off the field, and succoured to the best of his
doctor's and nurse's powers-even Tot forgot for the moment
to remark it was Dash's own blame.
 With great care and trouble the spaniel's wounds were
 healed; and where do you think he limped the first time he
 could drag his shattered little carcase abroad once more ?
 Not to Tot's room-though Tot had expended on the dog
 every particle of his skill as a medical student; not to Nelly's
 room-though Nelly had prayed to be allowed to have his
 basket by her fire, in order to see to his wants during the
 night-as a mother watches her baby-and had lost not a few
 hours of beauty sleep in consequence. Dash had licked the
 hands of his doctor and nurse most impartially all the time
 they were in attendance on him. He had whined and wagged
 his tail, and absolutely grovelled to them, as if they were the
 objects of his profoundest gratitude, his lowliest adoration.
 Doubtless the dog was grateful, and did love his young
 friends; but his own will was more to him than his gratitude,