Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-10-04

of that bit of earth-not four buckets
full altOgether-I washed ten ounces
Of gold. That was enough for me
just then, and, blessing my stars, |
started off the next morning in the d.
rection that German Alf and Sandy
Jim had taken when they went to look
for the surface gold hundred miles
away. On the afternoon of the first
day was standing at the opening of
two tracks, one to the right, one to
the left, puzzled which one to take. l
had made up my mind to take the one
which was the most trodden, and had
walked along it dozen yards, when
felt Lion pulling at the chain which
had put around his neck. | didn't
take much notice of him at first, but
when his tugging got inconvenient,
and when ! heard him whining as if
he was in trouble, l turned to see
what was the matter. had no soon
er done so than Lion jer,ed the chain
out of my hand, aud ran to the other
track, where he stood looking at me
and wagging his old tail. Now that
made me consider what could be the
reason of Lions anxiety, and why he
didn't seem inclined to follow me.
"And strike me dead r exclaim-
ed Lilly Trot, so excitedly that he
made my blood jump through my veins,
''if 1t didn't come npon me like sudden
daylight that the dog knew the road
my two mates had taken; knew that
l wanted to take the same track, and
wanted to lead me to where | might
find some clue. There's more in dogs
than we know of, mate. They can't
speak our language, but they have got
almost as much sense as we have
They are better than us, too, for they
never forget"
"And they are worse than US, Lii.
ly," said, speaking for the first time,
"Gor they never forgive"
That is true enough; though how
Lion ever came near German All
without Swapping at him, is a mystery
When that dog stood upon the track
had left and looked back at me, ]
made up my mind that he could take
me to every spot where Sandy jim
and German Alf had passed in theil
prospecting tour: and | made up my
mind, too, to let him lead me where
he liked. So, walking up to him,
stopped and patted the faithful beast:
head, and holding the chain loosely
/ followed at his heels. He was wisel
than a human creature; he never hes
itated a moment. Sometimes We
came upon three or four tracks, lead
ing different ways; but Lion alway!
/ took one of them without hesitation
On the second day we came to a large
tent, with a few bottles Of ginger bee.
upon a bench outside. There Liol
made a dead stand. ! didn't lug a
his chain; but going into the tent, ask
ed the owner if he had anything strong
er than ginger-beer,
after looking at me for a few mo
ments to see il was a detective
for it was a sly grog-shanty, aud tn
detectives were down upon thos
shops for selling spirits without a Ii
| cense-he seemed satisfied that
} wasn't an informer, and be served m
a glass of gin, and took one himse!
! at my invitation. When I paid 70
, the drink, he came to the door an,
t saw Lion.
al have seen that dog before, mate
[ he said.
"Long ago?' | asked in an cas-
f tone, although my heart was beatin
very last.
"a matter Of more than a yea
t ago, l dare say, he answered.
"'There were TWO men with hiI
r then, mate, yentured to say, in
5 careless manner, and pretending t
t do something to the dogs collar,
i Yes be SAID but you wasn
: ole Of en-.
5 "'No. wasn't I said. 'Good-da,
0 mate And l walked away; onl
i for a dozen yards, though; for turI
4 ing around to where the man Wa
}, standing looking after us, l said, Di
/ you see them when they came bacI
t mate d?
!, al saw one of EN-, he said.
1 "My back felt as if bucket of il
; water had been poured down it, as
S asked, (Which one?
e ale laughed, and looked at II
5, queerly, as if he thought had ii
e loose.
Y "How should | know which one
:, he answered.
a "'The dog was with him. l remar
IS ed.
/; "'Yes,' he said, looking al Lilo
p the dog was with him-all blood
|, looked as though he had been bad
le beaten
| THAT was enough for me. | bat
d him good-day again and walked ava
ID When we were out of sight of t
le tent, | threw myself upon the groun
'e and Lion stretched himself before n
it watching me with his bioodshot eye
t. 1.-TWO of them went this way, Lilo
lg | said, and only one of them CAL
le back-which one, good dog, eh ?
ot which one? Sandy Jim or Germi
th Alf?
Sc "Lion wagged his tail in the du
as much as to say, Il could tell yt
b, if could speak; but you ought
I'd know without my telling
IN az do know said, just as if Lii
to had spoken the words. If it h
| been Sandy Jim that brought y
ar back, you wouldn't have been
y. bloody. Your old governor nev
70 gave you blow; he had no need
I'D You knew every note in his vol
k, didn't you, Lion? and you were
W, glad to obey when he spoke. 1t "
'e- German Alf who brought you ba
Or, and who beat you into submission.
as Then where did yon leave your (
~ governor and my dear old mate-t
I'll me that, Lion?
on "The dog rose-neyer tell me u
ny dogs can't understand what you s
at and said in sorrowful bark, "Co
If; along; | will show you where we
4th him."
llD HI colomp1v cuaar that 7 bod nr