ce of Brownie--or
of any dog, young or old--to suppose it capable of misunderstanding the
gentle tone, the kindly glance, and the patting hand of Bladud. At all
events, the result was that Brownie, with an expressive wag and bark,
vowed fidelity from that date to the prince, and, in the same act,
renounced allegiance to the hunter of the Hot Swamp.

From that date, too, the master and the dog entered upon, and kept up at
frequent though brief intervals, a species of conversation or mental
intercourse which, if not profound, was equal to much that passes for
intercourse among men, and was, at all events, a source of eminent
satisfaction to both.

Removing the leash, Bladud descended the hill, with Brownie gambolling
delightedly round him.

That night they slept together under the spreading branches of a
magnificent oak.

There was no need to keep watch against wild beasts, for Brownie slept,
as it were, with one eye open, and the slightest symptom of curiosity
among the wild fraternity was met by a growl so significant that the
would-be intruder sheered off.

The sun was high when the prince awoke and arose from his bed of leaves.
The pup, although awake long before, had dutifully lain still, abiding
his master's time. It now arose and shook itself, yawned, and looked up
with an expression of "what next?"

Having lighted a fire, Bladud set up the carcase of a wild duck to
roast. He had shot it the day before on his way to the valley of the
Swamp. As this was a proceeding in which the pup had a prospective
interest, he sat by attentively.

"Ah! Brownie," said his master, sitting down to wait for the cooking of
the bird, "you little know what a sad life awaits you. No companionship
but that of a doomed man, and I fear you will be a poor nurse when the
end comes, though assuredly you will not be an unsympathetic one. But
it may be long before the end. That's the worst of it. Come, have a
bit."

He threw him a leg as he spoke, and the two breakfasted peacefully
together on the banks of the shining river, slaking their thirst, after
it was finished, at the same pure stream.

While doing so the prince observed with satisfaction that large trout
were rising freely, and that several flocks of wild ducks and other
aquatic birds passed both up and down the river.

"Now, Brownie," he said, when the meal was concluded, "you and I must
search for a convenient spot on which to build our hut."

Before starting o