the
snow-drift!

It is the sweetest sound you ever heard in your life.

How thankful you are when you see two noble-looking dogs coming toward
you, one with a flask of spirits tied to his neck, and the other
carrying a cloak to wrap around you!

How eagerly you untie the flask and drink, and how gratefully you cover
yourself with the cloak!

The dogs look on, and seem to understand all. They hasten back to fetch
the monks, who soon come to the spot.

You are carried to the Convent, and there rubbed and warmed, till at
last you revive and know that you are saved.

Such is the work the monks of St. Bernard and their famous dogs have
often had to do.

One dog saved the lives of twenty-two persons, who, but for his help,
would have perished.

For many years this dog wore a medal round his neck, which was given him
in honor of his deeds!

The following story tells how this noble creature at last met his
death:--

At the foot of the mountain there is a little village. Here dwelt a poor
courier, who used to carry letters and messages across the mountain.

This was the way he procured bread for his wife and children.

At one time, when on his way back to his home, a terrible storm came on.

With great difficulty he made his way to the Convent.

The monks did all they could to persuade him to remain till the storm
had passed away.

[Illustration]

But the poor man knew how anxious his family would be. He was sure that
they would be out on the mountain in search of him;--and so they really
were.

He felt that he must proceed, and the monks spoke to him in vain.

All they could do was to furnish him with two guides, attended by two
dogs.

One of these dogs was the noble animal that wore the medal.

But the poor courier and his family never met.

On his way down the mountain with the guides and the dogs, a great mass
of frozen snow fell upon them, and courier, guides, and dogs, were all
buried beneath it.

THE LOST CHILD.

An interesting and affecting story is told of two of these brave dogs
having once saved the life of a little boy who had lost his way on the
mountain.--(See PICTURES I. II. III.)

I.

It was a clear, cold, winter night,
The heavens all brightly starred,
Where on Mount Bernard's snowy height
The good monks kept their guard.

And round their hearth, that night, they told
To one who shelter craved,
How the brave dog,