Yet all without avail. Steady remained equally deaf to threats as to entreaties. He positively make one ache with sympathy to look at him, so perfectly did the clever beast enact extreme weariness.
Presently Steady sank upon his knees, and, after resting in that attitude a moment, made a great effort to regain his feet, but seeming unable to do it, fell over on his side, and, stretching out his head, lay upon the ground as limp and motionless as though he were dead.
At once Vigilant, being thus sent to the ground much against his will, sent up a most piteous bewailing so far as it could be expressed through the medium of barking. He went to Steady's head and barked right into his ears to make him understand the better. But all to no purpose. Steady did not budge.
Then Vigilant got angry, and he circled around Steady pouring upon him a shower of blows from his whip. These having no effect, he stopped as if at last realizing that his steed was dead, and, squatting down on his hind legs, began to cry, and to wipe away the tears with his left paw in an exceedingly funny way.
Suddenly he lifted his head and pricked up his ears. He heard the voice of a child singing softly. With an eager volley of barks he called for assistance. Whereupon Nalla appeared upon the scene with Lydia perched upon his broad neck.
"Did you call me, young sir?" asked Lydia precisely as if she were addressing one of her own kind.
"Yes—yes—" yapped Vigilant excitedly.
"And what can I do for you?" inquired Lydia with a sympathetic smile.
Vigilant did his best to explain. He pointed with his paw to Steady lying prone upon the ground, apparently dead, and with the most touching little barks he strove to make his meaning clear.