Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog, Oscar (2).pdf/11



11 before heard of either the one or the other, they gave themselves no trouble about the matter. He staid nearly two years in a place he called Cowhaur, till a wretch, with whom he slept, struck and abused him one day. Duncan, in a rage, flew to the loft, and cut all his Sunday hat, shoes and coat in pieces and not daring to abide the conse- quences, decamped that night. He wandered about for some time longer among the farmers of Tweed and Yarrow; but this life was now become exceedingly disagreeable to him. He durst not sleep by himself, and the servants did not always choose that a vagrant boy and his great dog should sleep with them. It was on a rainy night, at the close of harvest that Duncan came to my father's house. I remem- ber all the circumstances as well as the transactions of yesterday. The whole of his clothing consisted only of one black coat, which having been made for a full grown man, hung fairly to his heels; the hair of his head was rough, curled, and weather beaten: but his face was ruddy and beautiful, bespeaking a healthy body, and a sensible feeling heart: Oscar was still nearly as large as himself, had the colour of a fox, with a white stripe down his face, and a ring of the same colour around his neck, and was the most beautiful colley I have ever seen. My heart was knit to Duncan at the first sight, and I went for joy when I saw my parents so kind to him. My mother in particular, conld scarcely do any thing else than converse with Duncan for several days. I was always of the party, and listened with wonder and admiration; but often have these adven- tures been repeated to me. My parents, who soon seemed to feel the same concern for him as if he had