ch were the friendly
terms on which he had got with the dolphin, that he had only to wait by
the banks of the lake and cry, _Simo_, _Simo_, the name he had given to
the animal, when, lo! Simo came scudding to the shore, let fall the sharp
prickles of his skin, and gently offered his back for the boy to mount
upon. The boy, nothing afraid, used to mount instantly, when the dolphin,
without either rein or spur, would speed across the sea to Puteoli, and
after landing the young scholar, wait about the vicinity till he was
returning home, when it would again perform the same sort of civil
service. The boy was not ungrateful for such extraordinary favour, and
used every day to bring a good store of victuals for Simo, which the
animal would take from his hand in the most tame and kindly manner
imaginable. For several years this friendly intercourse was kept up; it
was, in fact, only terminated by the death of the boy; when, as the story
goes, the dolphin was so affected at seeing him return no more, that it
threw itself on the shore, and died, _as was thought_, of very grief and
sorrow!

[Illustration: 'BUT PAST BELIEF, A DOLPHIN'S ARCHED BACK PRESERVED ARION
FROM HIS DESTINED WRACK; SECURE HE SITS, AND WITH HARMONIOUS STRAINS
REQUITES THE BEARER FOR HIS FRIENDLY PAINS.']

ANECDOTE XXVI.

The Death of Antiochus Revenged.

When Antiochus was slain in battle by Centaretrius the Galatian, the
victor exultingly leaped on the back of the fallen king's horse; but he
had no sooner done so, than the animal, as if sensible that it was
bestrode by the slayer of his master, instantly exhibited signs of the
greatest fury, and bounding forwards to the top of a lofty rock, with a
speed which defied every attempt of Centaretrius to disengage himself,
leaped with him over the precipice, at the foot of which both were found
dashed to pieces.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE XXVII.

Mice as Navigators.

Although there are few who would dispute the cleverness and sagacity of
the larger animals, it is doubtful if there are many who credit the mouse
with even average intelligence. The following instance may go far to raise
our humble friend in the popular estimation; more especially as it has
been vouched for by eye-witnesses. In countries where berries are but
thinly dispersed, these little animals are obliged to cross rivers to make
their distant forages. In returning with their booty to their magazines,
they are obliged to