hind St. Bernard's, away
over the fields, without stopping to think whither my luck would lead
me. That night I slept under the open sky, and the following day I
chanced to fall in with a flock of sheep. The moment I saw it, I felt
that I had found the very thing that suited me, since it appeared to me
to be the natural and proper duty of dogs to guard the fold, that being
an office which involves the great virtue of protecting and defending
the lowly and the weak against the proud and mighty. One of the three
shepherds who were with the flock immediately called me to him, and I,
who desired nothing better, went up at once to him, lowering my head and
wagging my tail. He passed his hand along my back, opened my mouth,
examined my fangs, ascertained my age, and told his master that I had
all the works and tokens of a dog of good breed. Just then up came the
owner of the flock on a gray mare with lance and surge, so that he
looked more a coast-guard than a sheep master.

"What dog is that!" said he to the shepherd; "he seems a good one." "You
may well say that," replied the man; "for I have examined him closely,
and there is not a mark about him but shows that he must be of the right
sort. He came here just now; I don't know whose he is, but I know that
he does not belong to any of the flocks hereabouts."

"If that be so," said the master, "put on him the collar that belonged
to the dog that is dead, and give him the same rations as the rest,
treat him kindly that he may take a liking to the fold, and remain with
it henceforth." So saying he went away, and the shepherd put on my neck
a collar set with steel points, after first giving me a great mess of
bread sopped in milk in a trough. At the same time I had a name bestowed
on me, which was Barcino. I liked my second master, and my new duty very
well; I was careful and diligent in watching the flock, and never
quitted it except in the afternoons, when I went to repose under the
shade of some tree, or rock, or bank, or by the margin of one of the
many streams that watered the country. Nor did I spend those leisure
hours idly, but employed them in calling many things to mind, especially
the life I had led in the slaughter-house, and also that of my master
and all his fellows, who were bound to satisfy the inordinate humours
of their mistresses. O how many things I could tell you of that I
learned in the school of that she-butcher, my master's lady; but I must
pass them ove