St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-07-19

4, "oiS lnOu WOul0St
snow me! Or only squirrels? oh.
II IS the lazy shepherd. Awake,
redro" said the priest, reaching
down to shake the PROSTATE form,
but he started back, for it was not
that OF a sleeping man, but of a dead
one.
How is this" cried Father Gas
pard in distress. PEDRO dead and
OF what ailment ?"
he turned the body over. "Thou
mast lain here many days. my poor
Pedro. Already the fog and sun
have rotted thy garments and dis
Inquired thy face. Thou art offensive
and must be buried. And who has
guarded the flock ?"
He looked at the dog, who wagged
his tail.
Thou, Domingo by thyself? Truly
thou art a noble fellow, and shalt
have thy reward. The man must be
buried, at least temporarily"
Father Gaspard scanned the valley
in all directions. No one was to be
seen, no traveller or vaguero that
could be called to help.
He went back to the hut and
opened the door. 1t was in good
order, sho wing that the shepherd
had not lain there sick. Looking
around he found small spade, and
took blanket, which was folded on
a pile of dry grass, to wrap the body
in. Then he went back to the dead
man.
1t was no easy task to dig the
grave alone and get the body in it ,
but he went bravely to work, and
cheered by an occasional visit from
the dog, by the time the first harbn-
ger of the fog-in the form of a heecy
mist-hoared over the sand dunes, it
was accomplished.
Father Gaspard went back to the
hut, worn and weary, indeed, and
cooked some frijoles, and found some
meal, OF which he made cake and
baked it in the ashes of his fire. He
offered some to the dog, who only
shifted at it and would not eat. The
priest. seated at the door of the hut,
saw Domingo round up the sheep
and head them toward the corral.
There were many hundreds, and he
drove them carefully and without
haste safely inside, all but one lag
gard, a half grown lamb, which
came bleating and running to join
the others.
The dog stood at the entrance of
the Enclosure. but instead OF letting
the lamb pass he sprang at its throat
and bore it to the ground, tapping
eagerly the warm blood that flowed
from the lacerated wound. As soon
as it ceased its struggles he tore the
flesh from its bones and ate raven
ously.
Father Gaspard was angry, and
shouting to the dog tried to drive
him from the lamo, but Domingo
growled and would nor obey.
Having finished his meal, he
dragged the body away from the
corral and began to dig a hole.
When he considered it deep enough,
he pushed the lamb in, but dragged
it out again and dug the hole little
wider. In the lamb was flung again
out once and turned around. Then,
apparently satisfied, he pushed it in
and covered it up, showing the earth
over it with his nose. Then he went
to the gate OF the corral, selected
place to rest, licked his paws, turned
around and around several times,
lay down, and rolling himself up
went to sleep.
Father Gaspard watched his wan
tonness on the part OF the dog with
great distress. Then, too weary to
sit up longer, he entered the hut, and
on the shepherds bed of grasses slept
the sleep OF fatigue and innocence.
In the morning he was awakened
by the barks OF the dog and the
tramp of the sheep as they were
driven out to Craze. After eating
the remains of the beans and meal
cake he sat on the bench and Won
dered what was best to do. Should
ne remain there and guard the flock
from the dog and await some ones
coming to Don Manuel, or should he
hasten himself to the ranch and have
a shepherd sent with other dogs?
He felt a cold nose on his hand,
and looking down saw Domingo
wagging a cheerful good morning.
Father Gaspard pushed him aside
and said:
Away, Domingo, thou art no
more friend OF mine. Thou art an
untaithtul servant. Even now thy
iowls are red with the blood OF that
innocent lamb No wonder thou dis
dained the tr,joes offered thee tor
thy supper. Thou hadst something
better IN store. Thou shalt be dealt
with according to thy crime. will
tell Don Manuel of thy treachery,
and thou wilt be shot, an ignomln-
ious death Tor a shepherd dog, or If
thou shouldst escape, as have no
rope to tie thee, thou wilt drag out
a miserable life in the mountains, like
the thievish coyote, and like him be
hated and hunted. 1t is true say
ing that once a shepherd dog tastes
the blood of sheep he is never more
to be trusted. 1t is more than the
.L:.e+ o( ,,,o,, for wine ~