RAB AND HIS FRIENDS.

low over and saw he was quite dead ; the
mastiff had taken him by the small of the
back like a rat, and broken it.

He looked down at his victim appeased,
ashamed, and amazed, snuffed him all
over, stared at him, and, taking a sudden
thought, turned round and trotted off.
Bob took the dead dog up and said, “ John,
we'll bury him after tea.” “Ves,” said I,
and was off after the mastiff. He made
up the Cowgate at a rapid swing; he had
forgotten some engagement. He turned
up the Candlemaker Row, and stopped at
the Harrow Inn.

There was a carrier’s cart ready to start,
and a keen, thin, impatient, black-a-vised
little man, his hand at his gray horse’s
head, looking about angrily for something.
“ Rab, ye thief!” said he, aiming a kick
at my great friend, who drew cringing up,
and avoiding the heavy shoe with more
agility than dignity, and watching his mas-

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