"Because it is supposed to look like a dipper," replied Mary. "You can see the four large stars representing the dipper and the three stars that form the handle. It is known as the 'Saucepan' in the South of France, and in other parts of France it is called the 'Chariot of David.' In England it is called the 'Plow' and sometimes 'Charles's Wain.' That means wagon. In Italy it is known as the 'Car of Bootes.' Bootes was supposed to be an ox-driver and inventor of the plow--the Dipper. One day the driver, oxen, and plow were suddenly lifted off the earth and placed in the sky. You can see Bootes now, and in front of him are the seven stars of the Great Dipper, which he must drive around the Pole Star for all eternity. "A pretty story is told of a peasant who met our Saviour near the shores of Galilee and gave Him a ride in his wagon. As a reward he was offered a home in heaven; but he preferred to drive his wagon from east to west for all eternity, and his wish was granted. There stands his wagon in the sky, and the brightest of the three stars is called 'The Rider.' "In North Germany 'The Rider' is supposed to start out on his journey before midnight, and to return twenty-four hours later, his wagon turning round with a great noise. He urges on his horses with loud cries of 'hi! he!' which it is said have sometimes been heard by lucky mortals." "Hush, sister," said Harry softly; "let us see if we can hear him now." "No, you could only hear him at midnight," replied his sister--"that is, if the story were true." "It is only like a fairy story, then?" asked Harry. "All these stories are fairy stories," replied Mary; "and here is another. "A Basque legend relates that a certain husbandman had two oxen stolen from him by two wicked thieves. He sent his laborer after them, but he did not return. Then he sent his housekeeper, and his dog, and finally he decided to go after the thieves himself. He was so angry that he lost his temper, and in punishment for the remarks he made he was condemned to continue his search through the sky for all eternity. There you can see him now. The two oxen are the first two stars, then follow the two thieves, and lastly the two servants, the husbandman, and the little dog." "Where is the little dog?" asked Harry. "Look at the three stars in the handle of the Dipper," replied Mary. "Now look at the middle star, and if you have good eyes you can see a little star close beside it. Here, look through this opera-glass and you can see it better." "I see it now," said Harry, as he looked through the glasses. "So that is the little dog?" "Yes," replied his sister; "and the Arabians gave it the name of Alcor." "Dear little Alcor," said Harry, as he continued looking at him, "I am going to look for you every evening now, because I can see the Great Dipper from my window." "So you can," replied Mary; "I forgot that it faced north.