A Dog at Sea
Another dog was on board a vessel bound to
some place in Europe. The vessel was driven in a storm against
a rocky coast, and struck under a steep, perpendicular cliff
perfectly inaccessible. It was evident that if relief was not
soon given, the vessel must go to pieces, and the men all
perish.
The dog leaped into the angry sea, and with some difficulty
swam ashore. He ran on till he came to the dwelling of a poor
man, and then barked loudly, till the owner was roused and
came out.
The dog showed great joy at seeing him, ran towards the shore
and then back to him, and leaped upon him and licked his
hands; this he did repeatedly till the man followed him.
It was some distance to the shore; and, after a while, the man
was tired, thought it was foolish to go after the dog, and
turned to go home. The dog immediately showed great distress,
and tried the same arts to entice him on; but the man seemed
resolved to go home.
At last, the dog stood upon his hind legs, put his paws upon
the man's shoulders and looked him in the face, with such a
human meaning, such a piteous expression, that the man
determined to follow him.
The dog led him, not to the cliff under which the vessel was
lying, as there she could not be seen, but to a distant place
on a point where she was visible.
Ropes were immediately obtained, the crew were all hoisted up.
and every life saved; and this was by the intelligent love of
this faithful fellow-creature--we cannot call him a brute.
These true stories were told me by Mr. W. R. of New Bedford,
who gave the name of the captain of the wrecked vessel, and
said he was sure they were true.
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