Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog Oscar (4).pdf/5

 5 whistled aloud. Oscar well knew the sound, and clinging to the loss bosom, leaned his head upon his thigh, and looked in his face, as if saying, "O Duo- can, protect me from yon ruffian." The whistle was repeated, accompanied by a loud and surly call. Os- car trembled, but fearing to disobey, he limped away reluctantly after his unfeeling master, who observing him to linger and look back, imagined he wanted to effect bis escape, and came running back to meet him, Oscar cowered to the earth in the most submissive and imploring manner, but the peasant laid hold of him by the ear, and uttering many imprecations, struck him with thick staff till he lay senseless at his feet. Every possible circumstance seemed combined to wound the feelings of poor Duncan, but this unmerit. ed barbarity shocked bin most of all. He basted to the scene of action, weeping bitterly, and telling the man that he was a cruel brute, and that if ever be himself grew a big man, he would certainly kill him. He held up his favourite's head that he might recover his breath, an the man knowing that he could do little without his dug, waited patiently to see what would be the issue. The animal recovered, and stammered away at the heel of his tyrant, without daring to look behind him, Duncan stood still, but kept his eyes eagerly fixed upon Oscar, and the farther he went from kiwi, the more strong his desire grew follow hi. He looked the other way, but all there was to him a blank - he had no desire to stand where he was, so be followed Oscar and the drove of cattle. The cattle were weary and went slowly, and Dun- can, getting a little goad in his hand, assisted the men greatly in driving them. One of the drivers gave him & penny, and another gave him twopence : and the lad who had the charge of the drove, observing how active and pliable he was, and how far he had accom- panied him on the way, gave him sixpence; this was a treasure to Duncan, who, being extremely hungry,