nd
among others, to fetch him victuals from a restaurant in a basket. One
evening when the dog was returning to his master thus furnished, two other
dogs, attracted by the savoury smell issuing from the basket, determined
to attack him. The dog put his basket on the ground, and set himself
courageously against the first that advanced against him; but while he was
engaged with the one, the other ran to the basket, and began to help
himself. At length, seeing that there was no chance of beating both dogs,
and saving his master's dinner, he threw himself between his two
opponents, and without further ceremony, quickly despatched the remainder
of the victuals himself, and then returned to his master with the empty
basket.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE LXXIX.

Snake Destroyers.

The Indian ichneumon, a small creature in appearance between the weasel
and the mangoose, is of infinite use to the natives from its inveterate
enmity to snakes, which would otherwise render every footstep of the
traveller dangerous. This diminutive creature, on seeing a snake ever so
large, will instantly dart on it, and seize it by the throat, provided he
finds himself in an open place, where he has an opportunity of running to
a certain herb, which he knows instinctively to be an antidote against the
poison of the bite, if he should happen to receive one. A gentleman
visiting the island of Ceylon saw the experiment tried in a closed room,
where the ichneumon, instead of attacking his enemy, did all in his power
to avoid him. On being carried out of the house, however, and laid near
his antagonist in the plantation, he immediately darted at the snake, and
soon destroyed it. It then suddenly disappeared for a few minutes, and
again returned, as soon as it had found the herb and ate it.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE LXXX.

Monkey versus Snake.

The monkeys in India, knowing by instinct the malignity of the snakes, are
most vigilant in their destruction; they seize them when asleep by the
neck, and running to the nearest flat stone, grind down the head by a
strong friction on the surface, frequently looking at it, and grinning at
their progress. When convinced that the venomous fangs are destroyed, they
toss the reptiles to their young ones to play with, and seem to rejoice in
the destruction of their common enemy.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE LXXXI.

Musical Mice.

"One rainy winter evening, as I was alone in my chamber,"