The shepherd followed him. He led the way to a cataract
at some distance from the place where the father had left the child.
The bank of the cataract was steep and high, and the abyss down
which the water rushed was terrific. Down the rugged and almost
perpendicular descent, the dog, without any hesitation, began to
make his way. At last, he disappeared into a cave, the mouth of
which was almost on a level with the cataract.
The shepherd, with great difficulty, followed. What were his
emotions, who can tell his joy, when he beheld his little boy
eating, with much satisfaction, the piece of cake which the faithful
animal had just brought? The dog stood by, eying his young charge
with the utmost complacence.
The child had doubtless wandered from the place where he was left by
his father; had fallen over the precipice; had been caught by the
bushes near the cave, and scrambled into it. The dog had either
followed or found him by the scent, and had since prevented him from
starving by giving to him every day his own food.
The faithful, loving creature had never left the child day or night,
except to get the piece of oaten cake; and then the dog went at full
speed, neither stopping by the way, or apparently reserving any of
the cake for himself.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59