liged to
cross a river to make their forages. In returning with their booty to
their homes, they had to recross the stream; in doing which they showed
an ingenuity little short of marvelous. The party, which consisted of
five, selected a water-lily leaf, on which they placed their berries in
a heap in the middle; then, by their united force, they brought it to
the water's edge, and after launching it, jumped on it, and placed
themselves round the heap, with their heads joined over it, and their
backs to the water. In this manner they drifted down the stream until
they reached the opposite shore, when they unloaded their cargo, and
stored it away for the coming rainy day.

[Illustration]

XXIX

DRAWING WATER

Some years ago, a donkey was employed at Carisbrook Castle, in the Isle
of Wight, in drawing water by means of a large wheel from a very deep
well, thought to have been sunk by the Romans. When the keeper wanted
water, he would say to the donkey, "Tom, my boy, I want water; get into
the wheel, my lad." Thomas, thereupon, got in, with a speed and wisdom
that would have done credit to a nobler animal. No doubt he knew the
exact number of times the wheel had to turn upon its axis to bring up
the bucket, because every time he brought it to the surface of the well,
he stopped and turned round his honest head to note the moment when his
master laid hold of the bucket to draw it toward him, because he had
then a nice turn to make either to draw back, or to go ahead a little.
It was pleasing to see with what steadiness and regularity the poor
animal did his work.

[Illustration]

XXX

THE BROKEN HEART

During the French Revolution M. des R----, an ancient magistrate and
most estimable man, was condemned to die on the charge of conspiracy,
and was thrown into prison. M. des R---- had a water spaniel, which had
been brought up by him, and was always with him. Shut out of the prison,
he returned to his master's house, and found it closed. He then took
refuge with a neighbor. Every day at the same hour, the dog left the
house, and went straight to the door of the prison, where he whined
mournfully. He was refused admittance, but each day he spent an hour
before the door, and then went away. His fidelity at last won over the
porter, and one day he was allowed to enter. The dog saw his master and
clung to him. The jailer could hardly drive him away. He came back the
next morning, and every day; once ea