The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-06-22

master, Pedro? Is the s!uggar'
asleep in the grass?'
The dog showed all his teeth, aud
bent himself almost double first one
side the other in the violent wags Of
his tail. He ran a little way, then
lay down and rested his head on h:e
paws an instant, then ran up to the
priest again, emitting sharp, quick
yelps. He repeated this again and
again, but as the priest only
! laughed the dog took hold of his
gown with his teeth, and backing Of
! tried to pull him along.
| "Oh. we'll, then; I come said the
! priest indulgently, and followed the
I dog, who trotted toward a clump OF
! tall grass. looking back every few
! steps to see if Father Gaspard Vas
close behind.
lis it a fox hole thou wouldst show
me? Or only squirrels? Oh, it Is
the lazy shepherd. Awake, Pedro -
said the priest. reaching down to
! shake the PROSTATE form, but hs
started back, for it was not that ct s
sleeping man, but dead one.
"How is this?" cried Father Gas
pard, in distress. Pedro dead! and
Of what ailment?'
He turned the body over. Thou
hast lain here many days, my poor
Pedro. Already the fog and sun ha"e
rotted thy garments and distigureG
thy face. Thou art offensive and
must be buried. And who has
guarded the hock?''
He looked at the dog, who wagyed
his tail.
"Thou, Domingo by thyself?
Truly, thou art noble fellow, and
shalt have thy reward. The man
must be buried, at least temper
arily."
Father Gaspard scanned the valley
in all directions. No one was to be
seen; no traveller or vaquero that
could be called to help,
| He went back to the hut and
opened the door. It was in good
order, showing that the shepherd
had not lain there sick. Looking
around hs found a small spade, and
took blanket, which was folded on
pile of dry grass, to wrap the body
in. Then he went back to the dead
man.
It 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 har-
binger Of the fog-in the form OF s
feecy mist-foated 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 ne make ca ke
/ and baked it in t'le ashes Of his fire.
He offered soueeto the dog, who onlE
shifted at it and would not eat. The
priest, seated at the door Of the hut,
sew Domingo round Up the sheep
and head them toward the corral.
There were many hundreds, and he
dcove them carefully and without
haste safely inside. all bat one lag
gard, half grown lamb. which came
| bleating and running to join the
| others
Tbs dog stood at the entrance CT
the inclosure, but instead Of letting
the lamb pass he sprang at his
throat and bore it to the ground, lap
ping eagerly the warm blood that
! flowed from the lacerated would. As
soon as 1t ceased its struggles he tore
the flesh from its bones and ate raw
enously.
Father Gaspard was angry, and
shouting to the dog tried to drive
him from the lamb, but Domingo
growied and would not obey.
Having finished the 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 1t
out again and dug the hole little
wider. In the lamb was flung again
out once more 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 a place to rest, licked his
paws, turned around and around sew.
eral times, lay down, and rolling HIM
self up went to sleep.
Father Gaspard watched this wan
tonness on the part Of the dog with
great distress; then, too weary to set
up longer, he entered the hut, and oa
the shepherds bed Of grasses slept
the sleep of fatigue and innocence.
In the morning he was awakenea
by the barks of the dog and tho
tramp of the sheep as they weEs
driven out to Craze. After eating
the remains of the beans and moa'
cake he sat on the bench and wen
dered what was best to do. Should
he remain there and guard the fiocS
from the dog, and await someone =
coming, to send word 20 Don Manusi'
or should he hasten himself to the
ranch and have shepherd sept
with other dogs. >
He felt cold nose on his hanG
and looking down saw Domlng7
wagging a cheerful good morning.
Father Gaspard pushed him asids
and said:
Away Domingo, thou art mo more =
friend of mine. Thou art an unfa!th =
full servant even now tiny jowls are
red with the blood of that innocent
lamb. No wonder thou disdained the
frijoles I offered thee for thy supper,
thou hadst something better in store.
Thou shalt be dealt with according
to thy crime. I will tell Don Manue!