had supported himself, and saved a nice little
store besides, through telling the fortunes and relating the age of the
lady-dogs and doglets of Caneville; and how he performed sundry
conjuring tricks, which, though easy enough when found out, had earned
for him an astonishing reputation among the simple animals of the city,
who never _had_ penetrated the secret. He explained, besides, that there
were many more he could perform if his figure were more slim and his
movements as active as they had been some years ago, before time, by
increasing his rotundity, had lessened the ease of his motions; but that
if Bruin would undertake to learn them, his fortune was as good as made:
for he, Herr Schwein, would not only teach him all he knew, but would
reward him with half the profits derived from his performance, when he
should have mastered his studies. This proposal so jumped with Bruin's
humour, that he consented without further solicitation, and it was
agreed that his engagement should commence from the following day.

With the morning's sun did our hero's lessons begin; and as Nature had
not added stupidity to his various weaknesses, he made really rapid
progress. But poor Piggy found it dreadfully hard work, and more than
once repented his bargain; for though reflection and circumstances had
made him a philosopher, and travelling had taught him experience, it
required all his philosophy and his utmost skill to support the weight
of Bruin's unhandsome temper and prevent an utter breach between them.
Pride, however, and a natural wish to reap the harvest which he had sown
at the cost of so much pains and labour, induced him to persevere, and
the day at length arrived when Bruin was to make his next appearance in
public. Since the first evening of his arrival he had kept strictly
within his employer's grounds, and had familiarised his mind with the
mouth-organ and the drum. But now the sun had risen that was to shine on
him again abroad; he felt considerably elated; the idea of sporting a
handsome pair of silk drawers, and a medal with a ribbon round his neck,
and a silver anklet, contributing not a little to produce the feeling.

The pig, who knew the value of notoriety in such cases, had, from early
morning, kept Tom parading the streets with a large placard over his
shoulders, announcing

THE ARRIVAL
OF A
DISTINGUISHED FOREIGNER!
ENGAGED BY HERR SCHWE