oat on his back. I never could understand why any body should
want more than one coat. Mine was always new, always comfortable,
suited to all seasons, and fitting beautifully, having adapted itself to
my growth at all stages of my life, without any attention from me. _I_
never had any trouble with tailors, snipping and measuring, trying on
and altering. My coat would dry on me too, whereas my poor master could
not even jump into the river without taking his off; if it so much as
rained, he wanted an umbrella. Then, he never seemed able to run any
distance. For a few hundred yards it was all very well, but after that
he began to walk; and if he made a single day's journey, he was obliged
to be helped by a horse. Poor man! I pitied him; and yet I never for a
moment hesitated to acknowledge him as my master; for, with all his
detects, I felt that he was in possession of some faculty
incomprehensible to me, but which overpowered a thousand and a thousand
times the utmost animal superiority.

But to return to my own adventures. I determined to find my way to my
native village as a dog best might, without delay. So the next morning I
set off, following my nose, which was my best guide, through the
intricacies of the London streets. More than once I took a wrong turn;
but after going a little way up the street, I always discovered my
mistake, and retraced my steps.

Once I met two gentlemen whom I knew. One asked the other if I was not
my master's dog; the other looked round and called, "Captain! Captain!"
I was very near wagging my tail and looking up at the familiar sound,
but I fortunately recollected myself in time. As he was not my master, I
was not bound to be obedient; so I held my ears and tail still by a
strong determination, and trotted on, taking no notice.

Another time, as I was sniffing the ground where several streets
branched off, I heard an ill-toned voice say, "There's a dog that has
lost his master."

"Fine dog, too," said another; "there will be a good reward advertised
for him."

"Humph, there's more to be made by him than that," replied the first;
and as I looked up at him, I recognised the very man whom I had formerly
prevented from breaking into my master's country house. I growled
fiercely; and if he had attempted to approach me, I was prepared for a
spring at his throat.

"He seems to have a spite against you; best leave him alone," said the
other. And the two turned away, evidently aware that