In spite of his old age, the padre waded into the stream and rescued the suicide.  I took it home with me, fed it well, and in a short time its hair had grown again thick and glossy.  Although left quite free, the poor animal never attempted to escape to the woods, and he had become so tame, that every time I mounted my horse, he would jump upon me and accompany me on my distant excursions.  Eight or ten months afterwards he was killed by a rattle-snake, who surprised him sleeping upon my blanket, during one of our encampments.

THE END.