The Watch Dog


A thief who had broken into the shop of Cellini, the Florentine artist,

and was breaking open the caskets in order to come at some jewels, was

arrested in his progress by a dog, against whom he found it a difficult

matter to defend himself with a sword. The faithful animal ran to the room

where the journeymen slept, but as they did not seem to hear him barking

he drew away the bedclothes, and pulling them alternately by the arms,
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forcibly awaked them; then barking very loud he showed the way to the

thief, and went on before; but the men would not follow him, and at last

locked their door. The dog having lost all hopes of the assistance of

these men undertook the task alone, and ran downstairs; he could not find

the villain in the shop, but immediately rushing into the street came up

with him, and tearing off his cloak, would have treated him according to

his deserts if the fellow had not called to some tailors in the

neighbourhood, and begged they would assist him against a mad dog; the

tailors believing him came to his assistance, and compelled the poor

animal to retire.



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