Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-03-21
The Dog Of Montargis.

A gentleman named Macairc, an officer
of the kings body-guard, entertained,
for some reason a bitter hatred against
another gentleman, named Aubrey dc
Montdidier his comrade in service. These
two having met in the Forest of Bondy,
near Paris, Macairs took an opportunity
of treacherously numbering his brother
officer, and buried him in ditch Mont
didier was unaccompanied at the moment,
excepting by a greyhound, with which
he had probably gone out to hunt 1t is
not known. whether the dog was muz-
zled, or from what other cause it permit
ted the deed to be accomplished without
its interference BE this as it might,
the hound laid down on the grave of its
master, and there remained till hunger
compelled it to rise. 1t then went to the
kitchen of one of Aubrey dc Montdidier's
dearest friends, where it was welcomed
warmly and fed AS soon as its hunger
was appeascd the dog disappeared
For several days this coming and 60
ing was repeated, till at last the curiosi-
ty of those who saw its movements was
excited, and it was resolved to follow
the animal and see if anything could be
learned in explanation of Montddiers
sudden disappearance. The dog was ac-
cordingly followed, and was seen to come
to pause on some newly turpod-up
earth, where it set up the most mournful
wailings and bowling. These cries were
so touching that passengers were attract
cd, and finally, digging into the ground
at the spot, they found there the body
of Aubrey dc Montdidior. 1t was raised
and conveyed to Paris, where it was soon
afterwards Inferred in one of the city
cemeteries. The dog attached itself from
this time to the friend, already mention
ed, of his late master. While attending
on him, it CHANGED several times to get
a sight Of Macare, and on every occa-
sion it sprang upon him, and would have
stranged him had it not been taken of
BY force.
This intensity of hate on the part Of
the animal awakened a suspicion that
Macaire had had some share in Montdid
iers murder. for his body showed him to
have met a violent death Charles ",
on being informed of the circumstances,
wished to satisfy himself Of their truth
He caused Macaire and the dog to be
brought before him, and bcheld the ami
NAL again spring upon the object Of its
hatred. The king Intercepted Macaire
closely, but the latter would not admit
that he had been in any way connected
with Montdidier's murder. Being strong
Iy impressed by conviction that the con-
duct of the dog was based on some guilty
act of Macaire, the king ordered a com
bat to take place between the officer and
his dumb accuser, according to the prac-
ticc, in those days, between human plain
tiffs and defendants.
This remarkable combat took place on
the Isle of Notre Dame, at Paris, in
presence Of the whole court. The king
allowed Macairc to have strong club,
as a defensive weapon. while, on the 9th
er hand. the only self-preservative means
allowed to the dog consisted Of an empty
cask, into which it could retreat if hard
pressed. The combatants appeared in
the lists. The dog seemed perfectly
aware of its situation and duty. For Il
short time it leaped actively around Ma
cairc, and then. at one spring, it fastened
itself upon his throat in so firm manner
that he could not disentang,e himself. -
n would have been strangled had he not
cried out for mercy and avowed his crime.
The dog was pulled from off him, but he
was only liberated from its fangs to per-
ish by the hands Of the law. The fidcl-
ity of this dog has been celebrated in
many drama and poem, and it has been
usually called the dog of Montargis,
from the combat having taken place at
the chaetau of Montargis.