Page:Master Frisky (1902).djvu/74

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friend in his mouth. Rollo had watched all night in the garden beside the grave of Snow, and then in the morning had dug up the cat and brought him to the trial as direct evidence.

Faithful Rollo and his charge were followed by Judge Major Hill and several of the older dogs, who looked very grave and stern, and talked in low, deep growls.

Master Frisky felt very sorry for Jimmy, and had been talking with a group of the younger dogs—trying to get them to ask the judge not to be too hard on poor Jimmy.

When all had arrived, the older dogs arranged themselves on one side of the building in a dignified row, with Judge Hill in their midst.

Rollo then laid Snow down in front of them; and after licking the dirt and blood off the dead cat, and looking fiercely at Jimmy the while, began what we would call the prosecution. He told of the many virtues of the great white cat, and of their long friendship, during which time they rarely quareled. He told how on coming in from the fields he heard a noise, and that he had discovered Jimmy in the very act of killing his friend, but had been too late to save him.

Some of the other dogs, who had seen the affair from a distance, told the same story; and the judge and the older dogs looked very sternly at Jimmy, who hung his head and was sullen.

At first he would say nothing in his own defense; but finally said that Snow had called him names, jumped on his back, and clawed