The Animal Story Book Part 24

At that moment a boy came running to the gate.

'Ye'll be the minister that Sandy Johnston is speiring after. He says, "Fetch the minister, and bid him come quick."'

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'OH, OSCAR, OSCAR LAD, WHAT _HAVE_ YOU DONE?']

The minister gave a few directions to Jean, and in a moment or two was ready to go with the boy. It was a long row to the head of the loch, and a long walk to reach the cottage where Sandy Johnston lay dying.

The minister stayed with him for two nights, till he seemed to need his help no more, and then started off to come home. But while he was being rowed along the loch, a fierce snowstorm came on. The boat made but little way, and they were delayed two or three hours. Cold and tired, the minister thought with satisfaction of his warm fireside, with Oscar lying down beside his cosy chair. Then, for the first time since it had happened, he thought of the pigeons, and he half smiled as he recalled Oscar's downcast face as he came up the path.

With quick steps he hurried along the street from the landing-place.

The snow was being blown about round him, and the night was fast closing in. He was quite near his own gate now, and he looked up, expecting to see the familiar brown head peering out of the door for him; but there was no sign of it.

He opened the gate and strode in. Still no Oscar to welcome him.

'Jean, Jean!' he called. Jean appeared from the kitchen, and even in the firelight he could see traces of tears on her rough face.

'Where is Oscar?'

'Ah, sir, after ye were gone wi' the lad, he wouldna' come into the house, and wouldna' touch a morsel o' food. He lay quite still in the garden, and last night he died. An' it's my belief, sir, he died of a broken heart, because ye did na' beat him after killing the pigeons, and he couldna' make it up wi' ye.'

And the minister thought so, too; and when Jean was gone, he sat down by his lonely fireside and buried his face in his hands.

_DOLPHINS AT PLAY_

For some reason or other, dolphins, those queer great fish that always seem to be at play, have been subjects for many stories. Pliny himself has told several, and his old translator's words are so strange, that, as far as possible, we will tell the tale as he tells it.

'In the days of Augustus Caesar, the Emperor,' says Pliny, 'there was a dolphin entered the gulf or pool Lucrinus, which loved wondrous well a certain boy, a poor man's son; who using to go every day to school from Baianum to Puteoli, was wont also about noon-tide to stay at the water side and call unto the dolphin, "Simo, Simo," and many times would give him fragments of bread, which of purpose he ever brought with him, and by this means allured the dolphin to come ordinarily unto him at his call. Well, in process of time, at what hour soever of the day this boy lured for him and called "Simo," were the dolphin never so close hidden in any secret and blind corner, out he would and come abroad, yea, and scud amain to this lad, and taking bread and other victuals at his hand, would gently offer him his back to mount upon, and then down went the sharp-pointed p.r.i.c.kles of his fins, which he would put up as it were within a sheath for fear of hurting the boy. Thus, when he once had him on his back, he would carry him over the broad arm of the sea as far as Puteoli to school, and in like manner convey him back again home; and thus he continued for many years together, so long as the child lived. But when the boy was fallen sick and dead yet the dolphin gave not over his haunt, but usually came to the wonted place, and missing the lad seemed to be heavy and mourn again, until for very grief and sorrow he also was found dead upon the sh.o.r.e.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BOY GOES TO SCHOOL ON THE DOLPHIN'S BACK]

_THE STARLING OF SEGRINGEN_

Translated from the German of Johann Peter Hebel.

In a little German village in Suabia, there lived a barber, who combined the business of hair-cutting and shaving with that of an apothecary; he also sold good brandy, so that he had no lack of customers, not to speak of those who merely wished to pa.s.s an hour in gossiping.

Not the least of the attractions, however, was a tame starling, named Hansel, who had been taught to speak, and had learnt many sayings which he overheard, either from his master, the barber, or from the idlers who gathered about the shop. His master especially had some favourite sayings, or catchwords, such as, 'Truly, I am the barber of Segringen'--for this is the name of the village--'As heaven will,' 'By keeping bad company,' and the like; and these were most familiar to the starling.

Everybody for miles round had at least heard of Hansel, and many came on purpose to see him and hear him talk, for Hansel would often interpose a word into the conversation, which came in very aptly.

But it happened one day, Hansel's wings--which had been cut--having grown again, that he thought to himself: 'I have now learnt so much, I may go out and see the world.' And when n.o.body was looking, whirr!--away he went out of the window.

Seeing a flock of birds, he joined them, thinking: 'They know the country better than I.'

But alas! this knowledge availed them little, for all of them, with Hansel, fell into a snare which had been laid by a fowler, who soon came to see what was in his net. Putting in his hand, he drew out one prisoner after another, callously wringing their necks one by one.

But suddenly, when he was stretching out his murderous fingers to seize another victim, this one cried out: 'I am the barber of Segringen!'

The man almost fell backwards with astonishment and fright, believing he had to do with a sorcerer at least; but presently recovering himself a little, he remembered the starling, and said: 'Eh, Hansel, is it you! How did you come into the net?'

'By keeping bad company,' replied Hansel.

'And shall I carry you home again?'

'As heaven will,' replied the starling.

Then the fowler took him back to the barber, and related the manner of his capture, receiving a good reward.

The barber also reaped a fine harvest, for more people came to his shop on purpose to see the clever bird, who had saved his life by his ready tongue.

_GRATEFUL DOGS_

From 'Das Echo,' June 8, 1895. Letter to the editor, signed G. M., Mexico, purporting to be an extract from a letter of his brother in Nebraska. I have translated and recast it.

A farmer in Nebraska--one of the Western States of North America--possessed two dogs, a big one called f.a.n.n.y, and a small one who was named Jolly. One winter day the farmer went for a walk and took with him his two pets; they came to a brook that ran through the farm, and was now frozen up.

f.a.n.n.y crossed it without much ado, but Jolly, who was always afraid of water, distrusted the ice, and refused to follow. f.a.n.n.y paused at the other side, and barked loudly to induce her companion to come, but Jolly pretended not to understand.

Then f.a.n.n.y ran back to him, and tried to explain that it was quite safe, but in vain, Jolly only looked after his master, and whimpered; upon which, f.a.n.n.y, losing patience, seized him by the collar, and dragged him over.

For this kindness Jolly showed himself grateful some time afterwards.

f.a.n.n.y, greedy creature, was fond of fresh eggs. When she heard a hen cackle she always ran to look for the nest, and one day she discovered one under the fruit-shed. But, alas! she could not get the beloved dainty because she was too large to go under the shed. Looking very pensive and thoughtful, she went away, and soon returned with Jolly, bringing him just before the hole.

Jolly, however, was stupid and did not understand; f.a.n.n.y put her head in, and then her paws, without being able, with all her efforts, to reach the egg; the smaller dog, seeing that there was something in the hole, went in to look, but not caring for eggs, came out empty-handed.

Thereupon f.a.n.n.y looked at him in such a sad and imploring way, that her master, who was watching them, could scarcely suppress his laughter.

At last Jolly seemed to understand what was wanted; he went under the shed again, brought out the egg, and put it before f.a.n.n.y, who ate it with great satisfaction, and then both dogs trotted off together.

_GAZELLE_

Pa.s.sAGES IN THE LIFE OF A TORTOISE