as working in his garden, with his dog, as usual,
close by. The morning was hot, and at last he put down his spade and
wiped his wet forehead, noticing, as he did so, that the animal was
snuffling and scratching at a spot a little way off. There was nothing
very strange in this, as all dogs are fond of scratching, and he went
on quietly with his digging, when the dog ran up to his master, barking
loudly, and back again to the place where he had been scratching.
This he did several times, till the old man wondered what could be the
matter, and, picking up the spade, followed where the dog led him.
The dog was so delighted at his success that he jumped round, barking
loudly, till the noise brought the old woman out of the house.

Curious to know if the dog had really found anything, the husband began
to dig, and very soon the spade struck against something. He stooped
down and pulled out a large box, filled quite full with shining gold
pieces. The box was so heavy that the old woman had to help to carry it
home, and you may guess what a supper the dog had that night! Now that
he had made them rich, they gave him every day all that a dog likes best
to eat, and the cushions on which he lay were fit for a prince.

The story of the dog and his treasure soon became known, and a neighbour
whose garden was next the old people's grew so envious of their good
luck that he could neither eat nor sleep. As the dog had discovered a
treasure once, this foolish man thought he must be able to discover one
always, and begged the old couple to lend him their pet for a little
while, so that he might be made rich also.

'How can you ask such a thing?' answered the old man indignantly.

'You know how much we love him, and that he is never out of our sight
for five minutes.'

But the envious neighbour would not heed his words, and came daily with
the same request, till at last the old people, who could not bear to
say no to anyone, promised to lend the dog, just for a night or two.
No sooner did the man get hold of the dog than he turned him into the
garden, but the dog did nothing but race about, and the man was forced
to wait with what patience he could.

The next morning the man opened the house door, and the dog bounded
joyfully into the garden, and, running up to the foot of a tree, began
to scratch wildly. The man called loudly to his wife to bring a spade,
and followed the dog, as he longed to catch the first glimpse of the
expect