“And when He departed from among them, He said: ‘Hath the dog done any harm to you? Lo, it will hence-forward be your servant, and watch over the geese and drive your sheep: and if one or another of you shall sleep, having drunk over much, it shall be the guardian of your little holdings, and your friend. “‘Only do ye treat it with kindness, nor do it any wrong.’ “So Jesus went forth, and left them. And looking round, He saw Burek, sitting where He had stood by its side to defend it. “‘Wilt thou come with Me, Burek, or abide here in thy foolishness?’ “And thereupon the dog rose up; and thenceforth it always followed Jesus, as quiet, as faithful, as watchful as the best of servants could be. “And from that time forth, they were always together. “And if at any time a famine came over the land, the dog would catch a small bird, or a gosling, or a lambkin; so that they both had wherewithal to live. “Ofttimes also, when Jesus was tired, and rested Himself, Burek would drive away wicked men and evil beasts, and not let them hurt Jesus. “But when it came to pass that the vile Jews and their cruel Pharisees seized our Lord to put Him to death, then Burek flew at them all, poor loving creature! and defended Him, using its teeth as it could. “But Jesus, stooping beneath the Tree which He was bearing for His sacred Passion, said unto Burek: “‘Thou canst do no good: and behold, their consciences will bite them deeper than thy teeth!’ “And when they hanged Him on the bitter Cross, Burek sat beside it, and did howl. “Now, the next day, when all men had departed, and neither His blessed Mother, nor His holy Apostles were there, Burek alone abode by His side, and licked again and again the sacred dying feet of our Lord, pierced through with nails; and it howled, and howled, and howled. “And when the third day rose, Jesus awoke from His swoon, and looked; and no one was nigh Him beside the Cross, save only Burek, whining pitifully, and fawning at His feet. “Then did Christ Jesus, our most Holy Lord, look mercifully upon it in that hour, and say with His last dying breath: “‘Come with me, Burek!’ * * * * * “And the dog at that very instant did breathe its last, and follow its Lord! “Amen. “All this came to pass as I have said, O dearly beloved,” Roch concluded, pleasantly; and, making the sign of the cross, he passed over to the other lodgings, where Hanka had prepared him a corner to sleep in; for he was very tired.