LESSON 20 ROLF'S LEAP

ROLF'S LEAP

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WHAT ! you're making friends with my old Rolf, are you, boys? Dear old Rolf!said Uncle Dick. At the sound of his voice, away broke Roll from the two lads, sending them right and left like a couple of ninepins. Bounding forward, lame leg and all, the dog in another moment was pressing his faithful head against his master's side, and lustily wagging his tail.

That's my good old dog! said Uncle Dick, as he stroked his favourite's shaggy back, and shook the paw that Rolf solemnly presented to him.

We have had such fun! said Will, the elder of the two boys. "Rolf has been licking our faces, and putting his paws on our shoulders; and he rolled Tommy right over on the grass. Tommy tried to get on his back, and he didn't like it, and tumbled him off."

Of course he didn't like it, said Uncle Dick. "You wouldn't like any one to get on your back if you were lame in one leg; at least, I know I shouldn't. I'd tumble him off fast enough. Tommy may do anything else he likes, but he mustn't try to make Rolf carry him."

The two boys and Uncle Dick began to walk round the garden.

V.—C.

You've got fine red cheeks, boys, said Uncle Dick, "and two pairs of sturdy legs. Rolf and I would like to be able to jump about like you, but our jumping days are over.

But Rolf took a finer leap once than either of you lads has ever done, continued Uncle Dick, after a moment or two, as he stooped down to pat his favourite's great head. "A noble leap, wasn't it, my old dog?" he said; and Rolf looked up with his loving eyes, and gently wagged his tail, as if to say, "Yes."

Tell us what sort of leap Rolf took, Uncle Dick!

We were both younger than we are now, he said, "when Rolf and I first came together. Rolf was a puppy. It was when I was going out to Africa that some one gave him to me. "He comes of a fine stock ［1］ ," said my friend, "and if he proves as good a dog as his father, you won't part with him at the end of a year for a trifle ［2］ ."

I soon found that he was right, for I tell you, boys, by the end of the year I wouldn't have parted with him if I had spent my last shilling and I'd been asked to sell him for a thousand pounds. Ah, you're laughing, I see. You think I'n speaking in fun. Not a bit of it! Listen to my story, and when I get to the end of it you shall laugh then, if you like.

I went out with my regiment ［3］ to the Cape of Good Hope ［4］ . I stayed there for four years, and they were as happy years, on the whole, as I ever spent. I saw a great number of new things during that time, and I made a great number of kind friends. We weren't very hard-worked out there, and many a pleasant holiday I had of a few days up country or along the coast, sometimes with a companion, sometimes alone, with only my horse and Rolf. I shall never forget one of those little excursions ［5］ , for it was then that Rolf took his leap.

I had been riding for five or six miles one pleasant afternoon. It was just hot enough to make the thought of a swim tempting; so, after I had been riding leisurely ［6］ along for some time, I alighted from my horse, and, letting him loose to graze, I lay down for a quarter of an hour to cool myself, and then began to make ready for my plunge. I was standing on a little ledge of rock some six or seven feet above the sea. It was high tide, and the water at my feet was about a fathom deep. "I shall have a delightful swim," I thought to myself, as I threw off my coat.

Just at that moment Rolf, in a very excited way, flung himself upon me, evidently understanding what I meant to do. Yes," I said aloud, "we'll have a delightful swim, you and I together. A grand swim, my old lad!" and I clapped his back as I spoke."

But, rather to my surprise, instead of wagging his tail and wrinkling his nose, and performing his usual antics ［7］ , the creature only lifted up his face and began to whine.

He had lain for a quarter of an hour, while I had been resting, at the edge of the little cliff, with his head hanging over it; but whether he had been taking a nap in that position, or had been amusing himself by watching the waves, was more than I knew. What's the matter, old fellow?" I said to him, when he set up this dismal howl. "Don't you want to have a swim? Well, you needn't unless you like. But I mean to have one; so down with you, and let me get my clothes off."

But instead of getting down, the creature began to conduct himself in the strangest way. He first seized me by the trousers with his teeth, and pulled me to the edge of the rock, as if he wanted me to plunge in dressed as I was; he then caught me again and dragged me back, much as though I were a big rat that he was trying to worry. This performance, I declare, he went through three times, barking and whining all the while, till I began to think he was going out of his mind."

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［1 ］ stock: Race, family.

［2 ］ trifle: Something of little value.

［3 ］ regiment: A body of soldiers under the command of a colonel.

［4 ］ Cape of Good Hope: The southernmost part of Africa.

［5 ］ excursions: Trips, rambles.

［6 ］ leisurely: Quietly, slowly.

［7 ］ antics: Foolery, tricks.