THE OLD HAWKER AND HIS DONKEY. 91

A few days afterwards, when the gates of Gibraltar were
opened in the morning, the guard was surprised to see the
ass present himself for admittance. On being allowed to
pass, he went without delay. to the stable of his former mas-
ter. Not only had the animal swam safely to shore through
the heavy surf, but without guide or compass had found his
way from Cape de Gat to Gibraltar, a distance of more than
two hundred miles, across a hilly and difficult country, crossed
by many streams, and in so short a time that he could not
have made one false turn.

 

THE OLD HAWKER AND. HIS DONKEY.

AN old hawker was in the habit of going about the country
with his ass, which had served him faithfully for many years.
To help himself along, he used frequently to catch hold of
the animal’s tail.

The winter wind was blowing strongly, and snow had
long been falling heavily, when the old hawker found him-
self suddenly plunged with the ass into a deep drift. In
vain he struggled to get out, and fully believed that his last
hour had come. The ass had better fortune, and reached
the road; but after looking about without being able to see
his master, he once more made his way through the drift,
and then, placing himself so that the old hawker could catch
hold of his tail, the faithful beast dragged him safely out.

Never despise the help offered by a humble friend. We
are all apt to think too much of our own strength and
wisdom.