, "that he knew almost as much as his master."

"I wish that dog was mine," said Nat.

"_I_ don't," responded Frank; "but I wish you had one just like him."

"I suppose you don't know where I can buy his brother or sister, do
you?"

Frank smiled, and before he had time to reply, they were hailed by Sam
and Ben Drake.

"Where now, boys?" inquired Sam.

"Bound for Prospect Hill: it is a good clear day for a fine view, and I
am going to count the churches," answered Nat.

"Count your grandmothers!" sneeringly exclaimed Sam. "I would give more
to roll a big stone down the steep side than I would for the best view
you can get from the top."

"But don't you think the prospect from the hill is fine, Sam?"

"Fine enough, I s'pose, though I don't know much about it, as I never
thought it was best to injure my eyes looking."

"Well, I must say that you----"

"There, take that, you little whelp," just then shouted Sam to Trip, as
he gave the little dog a kick that sent him half across the road.

It seems that Trip happened to come in Sam's way, so that he stumbled
against him, and this aroused his ire at once, and then followed the
cruel assault. The dog certainly did not mean to come in his way, for he
was not a boy that even the dogs liked. They usually kept a respectable
distance from both Sam and Ben, and saved their good-will for such kind
boys as Nat and Frank. Dogs learn very readily who their friends are,
and they wag their tails and skip around those only who are.

Frank looked at Nat when he saw his favorite dog thus abused, and the
glance which they exchanged told what each of them thought of the
barbarous treatment. Nothing was said, however, and they passed on. It
was evident, by this time, that Sam and his brother intended to
accompany them, without an invitation, to Prospect Hill. While they are
on the way, we will improve the time to say a word about Nat's love of
nature.

Sam could see no beauty in a landscape. Why any person should want to
stand upon a hill-top for a whole half hour to view green lawns,
gardens, meadows, and villages and cities, with their church spires and
domes, he could not understand, especially after they had seen them
once. If he could have been put into Eden, it would have been no sport
for him, unless he could have had the privilege of clubbing the cats and
stoning the dogs.

It was different with Nat. He never tired of the view from Prospect
Hill, and this love of natu