sure. His mouth watered exceedingly at the bones, and
he could not help smelling them now and then; but he said to himself, "A
bargain's a bargain, and since I have promised to serve the griffin, I
must serve him as an honest dog ought to serve."

In the middle of the night he saw a great snake creeping in by the side
of the cave; but the dog set up so loud a bark that the griffin awoke,
and the snake crept away as fast as he could. Then the griffin was very
much pleased, and he gave the dog one of the bones to amuse himself
with; and every night the dog watched the treasure, and acquitted
himself so well that not a snake, at last, dared to make its
appearance,--so the griffin enjoyed an excellent night's rest.

The dog now found himself much more comfortable than he expected. The
griffin regularly gave him one of the bones for supper; and, pleased
with his fidelity, made himself as agreeable a master as a griffin
could be. Still, however, the dog was secretly very anxious to return
to earth; for having nothing to do during the day but to doze on the
ground, he dreamed perpetually of his cousin the cat's charms, and, in
fancy, he gave the rascal Reynard as hearty a worry as a fox may well
have the honour of receiving from a dog's paws. He awoke panting; alas!
he could not realize his dreams.

One night, as he was watching as usual over the treasure, he was greatly
surprised to see a beautiful little black and white dog enter the
cave; and it came fawning to our honest friend, wagging its tail with
pleasure.

"Ah, little one," said our dog, whom, to distinguish, I will call the
watch-dog, "you had better make the best of your way back again. See,
there is a great griffin asleep in the other corner of the cave, and if
he wakes, he will either eat you up or make you his servant, as he has
made me."

"I know what you would tell me," says the little dog; "and I have come
down here to deliver you. The stone is now gone from the mouth of the
cave, and you have nothing to do but to go back with me. Come, brother,
come."

The dog was very much excited by this address. "Don't ask me, my dear
little friend," said he; "you must be aware that I should be too happy
to escape out of this cold cave, and roll on the soft turf once more:
but if I leave my master, the griffin, those cursed serpents, who are
always on the watch, will come in and steal his treasure,--nay, perhaps,
sting him to death." Then the little dog came up to t