I

3. "But the fact is, I imagined the poor beast was trying for some reason or other to get his own way. thought it was my business to teach him that he was not to get his own way, but that I was to get mine; and so I beat him down somehow, I don't like to think of it now! I struck him again three or four times with the end of my gun, till at last I got myself freed from him.

4. "He gave a cry when he fell back. I call it a cry, for it was more like something human than a dog's howl, something so wild and mournful, that, angry as I was, it startled me. I was standing a few feet in from the water, and as soon as I had shaken him off he went to the edge of the cliff, and stood there for a moment till I came up to him, and then -just as in another second I should have jumped into the sea-my brave, my noble dog, gave one last whine, one look into my face, and took the leap before

me.

5. "In another instant, boys, I knew what he had meant. He had scarcely touched the water when I saw a shark slip like lightning from under the overhanging cliff, and grip him by the hinder legs.

6. "I had my gun close at hand, and in the whole course of my life I never was so glad to have it with me. I caught it up, and fired into the water. I fired three times. The first shot missed him, the second seemed not to harm him much; but the third took

him in some vital place; for the hideous jaws started wide open, and he rolled over dead.

7. "Then, with my gun in my hand still, I began with all my might to shout out, 'Rolf!' I couldn't venture into the water; for though the brute had let Rolf go, and had dived for a moment, he might make another spring.

8. "The wounded animal struggled through the water and gained a moment's hold of the rock. I jumped down and caught him, and somehow—I don't know how half carried and half dragged him up to the top of the cliff. And then-upon my word, I don't know what I did next, only I think, as I looked at my darling's poor crushed limbs, with the blood oozing from them, and heard his choking gasps for breathI-I forgot for a moment or two that I was a man at all, and burst out crying like a child.

9. "He licked the tears off my cheeks, my poor old fellow! I remember that. We looked a strange pair, I dare say, as we lay on the ground together, with our heads side by side.

10. "When I had come to my senses a little I had to try to get my poor Rolf moved. We were a long way from the garrison, and the creature couldn't walk a step. I tore up my shirt, and bound his wounds as well as I could. Then I dressed, and in some way, as gently as I could, — though it was no easy thing

to do it, I got him and myself together upon the horse's back, and we began our ride.

11. "It was a long, hard jolt for a poor fellow with both his hind-legs broken, but he bore it as patiently as if he had been a Christian. I never spoke to him but, panting as he was, he was ready to lick my hands and look lovingly up into my face. I've wondered since, many a time, what he could have thought about it all; and the only thing I am sure of is that he never thought much of the thing that he himself had done. That seemed, I know, all natural and simple to him; I don't believe that he has ever understood to this day what anybody wondered at in it, or made a hero of him for. For the noblest people are the people who are noble without knowing it; and the same rule, I fancy, holds good, too, for dogs.

12. "I got him to a resting-place at last, after a weary ride, and then I had his wounds dressed; but it was weeks before he could stand upon his feet again, and when at last he began to walk he limped, and he has gone on limping ever since. The bone of one leg was so crushed that it couldn't be set properly, and so that limb is shorter than the other three. He doesn't mind it much, I dare say, I don't think he ever did, - but it has been a pathetic lameness to me, boys.

13. "It's all an old story now, you know," said the general, abruptly; "but it's one of those things that a man doesn't forget, and that it would be a shame

to him if he ever could forget as long as his life lasts."

14. The general stooped down again as he ceased speaking, and Rolf, disturbed by the silence, raised his head to look about him. It was a grand old head still, though the eyes were growing dim with age. His master laid his hand upon it, and the bushy tail began

to wag.

"We've been together for fifteen years. He's getting old now," said Uncle Dick.

HEADS FOR COMPOSITION.

I. ROLF'S STRANGE BEHAVIOR: conduct of the dog while his master was preparing for a swim (see previous lesson) - a blow in ignorance.

II. THE LEAP: time when Rolf made his leap - his behavior explained-killing of the shark.

III. ROLF'S RESCUE: the wounded dog- brought to landemotion of his master-Rolf's affectionate behavior-home at last.

You may depend upon it that he is a good man whose intimate friends are all good. LAVATER.

Think that day lost whose low descending sun Views from thy hand no noble action done.

ROBART.

Let us do our work as well,

Both the unseen and the seen;

Make the house, where gods may dwell,

Beautiful, entire, and clean.

LONGFELLOW.

Friends, kinsfolk, and dear ones salute him who, far traveled, returns home safe. So the good deeds done welcome him who, going from this world, enters the other.

BUDDAH.

Be just, and fear not:

Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's,
Thy God's, and truth's.

We do pray for mercy;

And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.

SHAKESPEARE.

To make a happy fireside clime,

To weans and wife;

That's the true pathos and sublime

Of human life.

BURNS.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor

to be what you desire to appear.

SOCRATES.

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle:

Be a hero in the strife.

LONGFELLOW.