Children -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile literature; Children's poetry; Children's stories; Conduct of life -- Juvenile literature
The guide told the party to remain there, all but one or two, till
he should return. One of their number was a doctor, who was taking
his vacation, and he volunteered to be one of the company to make the
search for the supposed sufferer. Although all had believed themselves
to be tired, yet they were soon off, Sport taking the lead, and so
eager that he let his followers only just keep in sight. It was dark
some time before the little hut was reached.
When the men told the story afterward, they said it was a great wonder
they kept on following a dog in that way, though the guide never
hesitated; and the men probably preferred following him to being left
alone.
As they neared the place on the main trail, Sport would run ahead and
bark, and then come back to the guide and whine.
Well, they got to the hut at last, and it appeared as though the sick
man had not moved while his faithful friend was gone; and what is more,
the doctor said he never would have moved if help had not come.
The men rubbed him and gave him medicine, and towards morning he opened
his eyes. It took him a little while to make out what it all meant, but
when Sport heard his voice he sprang to his side, and seemed wild with
delight.
There is a great deal more to this story which I will not take time to
tell. The doctor tried hard to buy Sport after that, but his master
said he would sooner let him have one of his hands; he kept him until
he died of old age.
Before he died Mr. Stillman had his picture painted by a fine artist.
Master and dog have been dead for years, but I have seen both their
pictures, made by the same man. Saw them often when I was little. Our
folks used to tell the story to people who visited them, and then
point to me and say: “This little fellow is related to that noble dog,
and we hope he will be like him.” Then I would be so proud of the
relationship, and resolve to be just as good if I could not be as smart.
Now it is time to look around and see that everything is all right. If
they have not forgotten to shut the hen-house door, we can take our
places as usual till morning.
No, I never had such a chance as old Uncle Sport had for making a name,
but I have done what I could, and my master is not slow to show that he
loves me.
R.
JACK’S DECISION.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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