Page:Unparalleled sufferings and surprising adventures of Philip Quarle.pdf/23

 he fancied his dear Beaufidelle (for so he called that admirable creature) had some sort of resemblance to the picture he framed of him; he takes down, thinking it unjust to bear in his sight  that vile object, which could not in any wise claim  likeness to so worthy a creature as his beloved monkey.

Beaufidelle, whose good keeping and warm lying had made him thrive in bigness and strength, exceeding his kind, finding some of them stealing his master’s roots, beat them away; which obliged those subtle creatures to come several together, the better to be able to encounter him, which Quarle having taken notice of, and being willing to add a new sport to his usual diversions, cuts a stick of the length and bigness that the creature could manage, which he gave him, and taking his own staff, exercises it before him, which he did the same with his: and apprehending what use it was given him for, he had it often in his hands, and with it drove away the others when they came, though ten or a dozen together: so that the roots were very well guarded, by his continual watching; which made those sly and spiteful creatures watch in opportunity to take him at a disadvantage; thus him one morning, as he was going for water by himself, as he was wont to do, and being then without his staff, of which they stood in great fear, a considerable number fell upon him, and so bit him and beat him, that he lay as dead; but his master appearing, who, being uneasy at his extraordinary stay, was gone to see what was the occasion thereof, put them to flight; and they left the poor creature with just  breath enough to keep his life in, and scarce strength sufficient to draw it.