Doctor Ape.

"A pretty match, indeed; a griffiness for such a creature as you!" said
the goat, strutting by him.

The fox grinned with pain, and said nothing. But that which hurt him
most was the compassion of a dull fool of a donkey, who assured him with
great gravity that he saw nothing at all to laugh at in his situation!

"At all events," said the fox, at last, "cheated, gulled, betrayed as
I am, I have played the same trick to the dog. Go and laugh at him,
gentlemen; he deserves it as much as I can, I assure you."

"Pardon me," said the griffin, taking the pipe out of his mouth; "one
never laughs at the honest."

"And see," said the bear, "here he is."

And indeed the dog had, after much effort, gnawed the string in two, and
extricated his paw; the scent of the fox had enabled him to track
his footsteps, and here he arrived, burning for vengeance and finding
himself already avenged.

But his first thought was for his dear cousin. "Ah, where is she?" he
cried movingly; "without doubt that villain Reynard has served her some
scurvy trick."

"I fear so indeed, my old friend," answered the griffin; "but don't
grieve,--after all, she was nothing particular. You shall marry my
daughter the griffiness, and succeed to all the treasure; ay, and all
the bones that you once guarded so faithfully."

"Talk not to me," said the faithful dog. "I want none of your treasure;
and, though I don't mean to be rude, your griffiness may go to the
devil. I will run over the world, but I will find my dear cousin."

"See her then," said the griffin; and the beautiful cat, more beautiful
than ever, rushed out of the cavern, and threw herself into the dog's
paws.

A pleasant scene this for the fox! He had skill enough in the female
heart to know that it may excuse many little infidelities, but to be
boiled alive for a griffin's soup--no, the offence was inexpiable.

"You understand me, Mr. Reynard," said the griffin, "I have no daughter,
and it was me you made love to. Knowing what sort of a creature a magpie
is, I amused myself with hoaxing her,--the fashionable amusement at
court, you know."

The fox made a mighty struggle, and leaped on the ground, leaving his
tail behind him. It did not grow again in a hurry.

"See," said the griffin, as the beasts all laughed at the figure Reynard
made running into the wood, "the dog beats the fox with the ladies,
after all; and cunning as he is in everything else, the fox is the last
c