"I think," said Luke, who had a feeling heart, "that barbarity to animals, though not punished here as it deserves, must be most hateful to the great Creator of every thing living, which He has formed with such wisdom and careful contrivance for its well-being; and though they are placed in subjection to mankind, if the latter wantonly abuse their power (which they too frequently do, even from early childhood), it seems to me to shew the very mark of the evil one on our fallen and depraved nature."

"Other

"I quite agree with you," said Paul. sins have usually some temptation leading to them, such as our own pleasure or profit, but this has not even such extenuation; for if any pleasure can arise from inflicting torment on an innocent, unoffending creature, it must needs be that of a fiend."

"The Scripture says, too," observed Myra, "that a merciful man is merciful to his beast.'

"True," replied Luke; "and it also says, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,' which surely implies that they who shew no mercy, either towards their fellow-creatures or the inferior part of the creation, must not expect to find it themselves."

VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

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Paul. Man, in his pride, is apt to consider himself so immeasurably superior to all the rest of the creation, that their welfare is a thing too insignificant for him to bestow a thought on; but is not the distance infinitely greater between us and the mighty and holy Jesus? Yet did He not disdain to commiserate our wretched state, and even descend to our nature, lead a life of sorrow and suffering, and die a painful and ignominious death, in order to be our Saviour, and rescue us from the sad fate we had brought on ourselves by disobedience.

There was no dissentient voice to Paul's opinion; and now I saw that they entered the Valley of the Shadow of Death, which was barren, rocky, and very gloomy, being rendered still more so by the black and stormy sky above them. They all kept close together, for they could find no path, and the semi-darkness of twilight surrounded them. Moreover, they soon come to a chasm of some hundred feet in depth, which there seemed to be no means of passing but by leaping over; indeed, they had a narrow escape of falling into this, for whilst they were groping their way in the uncertain light, Grace felt the sandals (given her by Prudence) hurt

On

her feet, which caused her to stop, and then she found herself just on the edge of the ravine! telling her companions of the danger, a consultation was held, Paul first expressing his gratitude at being spared such a calamity as her fatal fall would have occasioned; in which, as may be supposed, he was cordially joined by her brother and by Myra.

"Paul and myself," said the former, "could take the leap without much difficulty, but you, dear sister, can hardly manage it?"

"Yes," replied Grace, "I think I could; for these sandals, that by their warning pressure arrested my steps, feel now to give unusual vigour and elasticity to my movements. Not for myself do I fear," added she, "but for poor Myra, who is in weak health, and timid, and I should shudder to see her make the attempt."

Here arose a dilemma, for none of them could bear to think of leaving her behind; which she perceiving, begged she might not be a hindrance to them.

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Let me not impede your onward progress," said she; "if it be the will of Providence, I can die here, and my life is of no value to any one."

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Say not so!" exclaimed Grace; "for though we have but known you lately, we should all miss

you very much."

As if to remind her of one

humble friend who would, undoubtedly, miss her, the bark of her little dog sounded at a short distance, and on looking towards the spot, they saw him running and leaping along amongst some low bushes and brambles, ever and anon looking back, as if bidding them to follow.

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Let us obey his call," said Luke, "for I dare say he has some wise reason for summoning us." Accordingly they did so, and there found a much narrower part of the chasm, which they had not before perceived.

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I think I see something on the other side which might serve us for a bridge," said Paul.

"I see it, too," cried Luke: and immediately running a few steps back, he leaped across, and speedily returned, dragging along a tall young pinetree, which appeared to have been uprooted by some recent tempest. This he contrived to push before him, the smaller end forward, till it reached nearly across the deep gulf, when Paul assisted him by leaning forward and pulling it on, until between them they placed it steadily over, Paul rendering it more secure by rolling a large piece of rock on its end.

"Now," said he, turning to his two companions,

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we can, with care, walk over safely. I will go first, and can carry poor Brisk, as our bridge is rather narrow for his four feet. You two must hold by me and each other."

Myra was retreating to let Grace walk next her husband. "No," said she, "I know you will feel yourself safer between us, and my sandals render me sure-footed; so I do not mind going last."

"Just like your kind consideration," replied Myra, gratefully pressing her friend's hand.

And in this manner I saw that all three walked over with comparative ease, Luke advancing from the opposite side to lead them on terra firma. When there, they looked down into the chasm, and Grace threw in a small pebble, which disappeared in the darkness some seconds before they heard its faint sound on reaching the bottom.

"Oh, what a tremendous depth I should have fallen!" exclaimed she. "Had I not stopped just in time, I must have been dashed to pieces!" And throwing herself on her knees, she returned heartfelt thanks for her preservation; and the feelings of her young husband, her brother, and of Myra, warmly and devoutly echoed hers. Then they pursued their way, leaving their hastily erected