The Hunter and his Faithful Dog.--A variety of this story is cited
from a Cawnpore newspaper, in the "Asiatic Journal," Vol. XV. (new
series), Part II. October, 1834, p. 78, which is to the following
effect:--A Bunjarrah named Dabee had a dog called Bhyro, the faithful
companion of his travels, who guarded his goods from robbers while
he slept. He wished to go to a distant part of the country to trade
in grain, but had not sufficient funds for the purpose. After much
cogitation, he at length resolved to pledge his dog for 1,000 rupees,
and when he applied to several persons was laughed at for his folly;
but a wealthy merchant named Dyaram gave the money, on condition that
it should be paid back within twelve months, taking the dog Bhyro in
pledge. When eleven months had passed, the merchant began to bewail
the stupidity which had induced him to lend so large a sum on so
precarious a security. His relentings were, however, premature. One
dark and dreary night he was aroused from his slumbers by a great
noise, occasioned by the clashing of swords and the barking of Bhyro. A
band of armed men had entered the house with intent to plunder, but
before they could effect their purpose they had been observed by the
faithful Bhyro, who commenced an attack upon them. Before Dyaram could
render any assistance, Bhyro had laid two of the robbers dead at his
feet; a third, on the approach of Dyaram, aimed a blow at his head,
which was prevented from taking effect by Bhyro seizing the ruffian
by the throat and laying him prostrate on the ground. After peace
was restored, Dyaram congratulated himself on having received Bhyro
in pledge for the Bunjarrah, by which act he not only escaped being
plundered, but in all probably murdered. Next morning Dyaram called
Bhyro, and after caressing him, said:--"The service you rendered me
last night is more than an equivalent for the 1,000 rupees I lent
your master; go, faithful creature. I give you a free discharge from
your obligation as security for him." Bhyro shook his head in token
that it was impossible for him to go until his master returned; but
Dyaram, comprehending his meaning, soon arranged matters by writing
a statement of the circumstances, and giving a voucher for the 1,000
rupees. This document he tied round Bhyro's neck, which done, Bhyro
expressed his delight by leaping about in every direction, and, after
licking the hands of Dyaram, darted out of the house and set off in
quest of his master. While these scenes were transpiring in Dyaram's
house, Dabee was not unmindful of the pledge he had left behind him,
and, having succeeded in his speculation, was returning with all haste
to redeem it. At his last stage homewards he was surprised to see
Bhyro approaching him with every demonstration of joy, but at sight
of him Dabee's rage was kindled, and repulsing Bhyro as he fawned
upon him he thus addressed him:--"O, ungrateful wretch! is this the
return you have made for my kindness to you? and is this the manner
in which you have established my character for veracity? You remained
faithful to your trust during eleven months--could you not have held
out for thirty short days? You have, by your desertion from your
post, entailed dishonour upon me, and for this you shall die." And,
so saying, he drew his sword and slew him. After having committed this
deed, he observed a paper tied round Bhyro's neck; having read it,
his grief was indescribable. To atone in some measure for his rash
act, caused poor Bhyro to be buried on the spot where he fell, and a
superb monument to be erected over his remains. To the grave of Bhyro,
even at the present day, resort natives who have been bitten by dogs,
they believing that the dust collected there, when applied to the
wounds, is an antidote for hydrophobia.