Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog Oscar (4).pdf/4

 4 where twe ways met, a little south of Grange "Toll. Here he sat down, and his frenzied passion subsided into a soft melancholy ;-he cried no more, but sob. bed excessively: fixed his eyes on the ground, and made some strokes in the dust with his finger. A sight just then appeared, which somewhat cheer- ed, or at least interested his heavy and forlorn heart it was a large drove of Highland cattle. They were the only creatures like acquaintances that Duncan had Seen for a twelvemonth, and a tender feeling of joy, mixed with regret, thrilled his heart at the sight of their white horns and broad dew-laps. As the van passed him, he thought their looks were particularly gruff and sullen ; he soon perceived the cause, they were all in the hands of Englishmen: poor exiles like himself ;-going far away to be killed and eaten, and would never see the Highland hills again! When they were all gone by, Duncan looked after them and wept anew; but his attention was suddenly called a way to something that softly touched his feet; he looked'hastily about it was a poor hungry lame dog, squatted on the ground, licking his feet, and manifesting the most extravagant joy. Gracious Hea- ven! it was his own beloved and faithful Oscar! starred, emaciated, and so crippled, that he was scarcely able to walk. He was bow doomed to be the slave of a Yorkshire peasant, who it seems, had either bought or stolen his at Falkirk, the generosity and benevo- lence of whose feelings were as inferior to those of Os- car, as Oscar was inferior to him in strength and power. It is impossible to conceive a more tender meeting than this was : but Duncan soon observed that hunger and misery were painted in his friend's looks, which again pierced his heart with feelings on- felt before. I have not a crumb to give you my poor Oscar I" said he-"I have not a crumb to eat myself, but I am not so ill as you are." The peasant