ndlord. Nobody could doubt that; but to Tim's eyes Moses wanted
no attractions, he was perfect. Many and many a confidence was poured
into his small, upright, attentive ear, as the two sat so close together
at the back of the cart; Tim never considered whether he understood or
not, but it was such a comfort to tell him about things. The cold
nights were comparatively easy to bear, now that he could put his arm
round Moses' hairy form and feel that he was warm and comfortable; meals
became more interesting though slighter than they used to be, now that
they must be shared by Moses, who watched every morsel with bright
expectant eyes. Then he must be taught, and this was not difficult, for
ready intelligence and eager affection made him a good scholar; all he
wanted was to know what was really required of him. This once
understood and successfully performed, what an ecstasy of delight
followed on the part of both master and pupil, shown by the former in
caresses, and by the latter in excited barks, and short quick rushes
among the parcels.

As his education proceeded he learnt to distinguish all the different
sounds of Tim's voice, and would sit on guard for any length of time if
once told to do so. When on duty in this way, a more conscientious dog
could not have been found, for not even the urgent temptation of a
cat-chase could lure him from his post--although, sometimes, a short cry
of anguish would be wrung from him at being obliged to forego such a
pleasure.

Joshua he regarded with a distant respect, Tim with intense affection,
and the landlord of the Magpie and Stump with ill-concealed growls of
aversion, though the latter tried to ingratiate himself by savoury
offerings of food. Moses would walk stiffly away from him with his tail
held very high, and the landlord would laugh sarcastically. "You're a
nice sample, you are," he would say, "and as ugly a mongrel as ever I
see--"

As time went on, Tim began to place great reliance on the dog's
trustworthiness, and to look upon him as quite equal to another boy. He
knew that he had only to hold up his ringer and say, "Watch, Moses!" and
the dog's vigilant attention was secure; trusting in this, therefore, he
felt it by no means so necessary as formerly to be very watchful
himself, and began to take life much more easily. In the evening, when
Joshua stopped to deliver a parcel, Tim would rouse himself from a
comfortable nap, and just murmur, "Watch, Moses!"