The Rovers, well knowing poor Jowler's repute, and declining the fair mode of testing it, had sent in advance a very crafty scout, a half-bred Indian, who knew as much about dogs as they could ever hope to know about themselves.

This rogue approached faithful Jowler--so we were told long afterward--not in an upright way, but as if he had been a brother quadruped.

And he took advantage of the dog's unfeigned surprise and interest to accost him with a piece of kidney containing a powerful poison.

According to all sound analogy, this should have stopped the dear fellow's earthly tracks; but his spirit was such that he simply went away to nurse himself up in retirement.

Neither man nor dog can tell what agonies he suffered; and doubtless his tortures of mind about duty unperformed were the worst of all.