NATURAL HISTORY SERIES
DOG OF ST. BERNARD
AND OTHER STORIES.
PRINTED IN OIL COLORS
McLOUGHLIN BROS.
PUBLISHERSNEW YORK.
[5]THE DOG OF ST. BERNARD.
t. Bernard is the name of one ofthe high mountains of the Alps.
The deep snow hangs so looselyon the sides of these mountains, that greatmasses often fall into the plains below,with a noise like thunder.
Wild snow storms also come on, and thepasses in the mountains become so blockedup and covered over, that it is impossibleto find them out.
In this way many travelers have perished,and been buried in a deep snowygrave.
Far, far up the mountain there is a buildingcalled the Convent of St. Bernard.
[6]Here is found that wonderful race ofdogs called the Dogs of St. Bernard, famousall over the world for their noble deeds.
These dogs are trained to go out on themountains among the snow, and search formissing travelers.
Suppose you are taking a journey acrossthe Alps.
A terrible snow storm comes on. Nightis drawing near, while you are weary withyour journey, and perishing with cold andhunger.
Your whole body begins to feel numb,and soon you will be unable to go anyfarther.
You think of home, and kind friendsthere, and you kneel down to pray thatyou may not be left to perish in thesnow.
At the very moment you are about to[7]give up in despair, you hear the deep barkof a dog, coming nearer and nearer amidthe darkness and the snow-drift!
It is the sweetest sound you ever heardin your life.
How thankful you are when you see twonoble-looking dogs coming toward you, onewith a flask of spirits tied to his neck, and theother carrying a cloak to wrap around you!
How eagerly you untie the flask anddrink, and how gratefully you cover yourselfwith the cloak!
The dogs look on, and seem to understandall. They hasten back to fetch themonks, who soon come to the spot.
You are carried to the Convent, and thererubbed and warmed, till at last you reviveand know that you are saved.
Such is the work the monks of St.Bernard and their famous dogs have oftenhad to do.