CHAPTER VI.
THE SHEPHERD'S DOG.
"Mother," cried Minnie, one morning, "will you tell me about the dogspeople used to have in old times, when the Bible was written? Fatherread about the dog with the flocks."
"Yes, dear. The shepherds had dogs whose duty seemed only to be to guardthe flock from the attacks of wild beasts, and, like the Spanish sheepdog of the present day, had nothing to do with the management of sheep.Indeed, he seems to have been regarded with great dislike by the Jews,and, if not carefully watched, was more destructive to the sheep thanthe beast of whose approach he was to give warning. When he was not onduty, he was regarded as a great pest and destroyer.
"Among the Arabs, travellers in the East say, this is the character ofthem all; they are cruel, bloodthirsty, always hungry, and neversatisfied. His look is savage, and his appearance disagreeable. TheMoors grant him a corner in their tent, but that is all; they nevercaress him, never throw him any thing to eat. To this treatment must theindifference of dogs to their masters be ascribed.
"The Spanish sheep dogs are used entirely for the defence of the flockagainst wolves. In case of attack, the sheep fly to them, and gatherround them as friends and protectors. They are also taught, if a sheeplags behind unobserved by the shepherds, to stay with it, and defend ituntil some one returns for it.
"In later times man has made a companion of this faithful animal, andthe dog well reciprocates the kindness. The Scotch sheep dog, orcolley, has no superior, scarcely an equal, in managing a flock. TheEttrick Shepherd says, that a single shepherd, with one of thesecolleys, will accomplish more in gathering a flock of sheep from aHighland farm than twenty shepherds could do without it. Neither hunger,fatigue, nor the worst treatment, will draw him from his master's side,and he will follow him through every hardship without murmur orrepining.
"Mr. Hogg also gives an account of his own colley, 'Sirrah,' who had onenight a flock of lambs under his care. They became frightened atsomething, and ran in all directions, scattering among the hills.
"'Sirrah,' exclaimed Mr. Hogg, in despair, 'they're a' awa'!'
"The dog dashed off through the darkness. After spending, with hisassistants, the whole night in a fruitless search after the fugitives,the shepherd commenced his return home. Coming to a deep ravine, theyfound Sirrah in charge of what, as they supposed, was one of thescattered divisions; but what was their joyful surprise to find that notone of the flock was missing!"
"O," cried Minnie, "wasn't he a good fellow!"
"Yes, dear; and the English sheep dog is also remarkable for itsdocility and faithfulness. It is larger and more powerful than thecolley; and they are so useful to their employers that a writer says itwould be almost impossible to conduct the markets without them. If youwere to visit the Smithfield market in London, on Monday or Friday, youwould see them at their work. Vast droves of sheep and other animalsare brought from the country for the supply of the great metropolis, andare here crowded into the smallest possible space. Of course each ownerwishes his flock kept from mingling with others; and this businessdevolves on his dog. If one sheep slips away, by a motion of the hand,or one word of command, the master signifies his desire, and the truantis instantly sought and returned, the dog always holding it by the sideof the head, so as not to bruise the body. His eye is continually on hismaster's countenance, anxious to learn his wishes, or on the particularflock he has in charge. As difficulties multiply, his sagacity becomesalmost human, and he seems to know every individual belonging to hisflock."
Minnie listened to this account with great interest; but now shestarted up, her whole countenance blazing with excitement, andexclaiming, "Father, you'll need a dog, you know, for your sheep. Ifyou'll buy an English shepherd pup, I'll let Nannie take care of it, andtrain it for you."
"Thank you, love," said her father, patting her head fondly; "but I'mafraid Nannie is scarcely capable of such business. I'll tell you astory of a remarkable Spanish shepherd dog which came to America fromEngland. His name was Arrogante, and he was an animal of prodigiouspower. There was nothing affectionate or joyous about him. He neverforgave an injury or an insult. He was proud and reserved, but notquarrelsome. Little curs would often run up to him, or seize his long,bushy tail; but he seldom condescended to notice them: when he did, hesoon made an end of them.
"Arrogante was honest, faithful, and courageous. He was a strictlytemperance dog, and would allow no one on the premises who was what iscalled worse for liquor. Many a time, according to his own confession,the bailiff who usually fed Arrogante was obliged to sleep on the groundoutside the farm because he came home unsteady from too much drinking.
"On one occasion a couple of sailors, wishing to take advantage of thetide, came unexpectedly to the farm, soon after midnight, to take awaysome potatoes they had purchased from Mr. Rotch. But Arrogante would notconsent to what he considered unlawful proceedings. He forced the meninto an empty cart, and kept them there till morning. Once or twice theytried to put a foot over the side of the cart, but were convinced ifthey persevered the dog would kill them. They lost the tide, and weregreatly disappointed, but, like honest fellows, confessed the fault wastheir own.
"A gentleman who, I am sorry to say, was fond of spirituous liquors,lived near the farm, and often passed near the stable where Arrogantehad his headquarters. This gentleman was regularly introduced to him,and warned by his master against ever provoking him. Returning home,late one Saturday evening, on horseback, from a convivial meeting, as hegalloped past the stable he met Arrogante, and wantonly struck at himwith a hunting whip. He was a large man, and rode a powerful horse,which was going at full speed, so that he escaped before the astonisheddog recovered from his surprise.
"The next morning the gentleman was on his way to church mounted asbefore. Arrogante, who was watching for him, at once knew the tread ofhis horse, and stood grimly awaiting his insulter. When the gentlemanhad approached within a few yards, the dog gave a spring, and met him inthe air, in a deadly aim at his throat. Nothing but the sudden jump ofthe very active horse saved the rider's throat and his life; but sonarrowly had he escaped, that he felt the gnashing teeth of thefrenzied brute scrape down his dress, where they came in contact with,and closed upon, his watch, tearing it away with the adjacent clothing,and chewing it into atoms. The cause of this terrible onset not beingdisclosed at the time, Mr. Rotch, though convinced that Arrogante hadnot been the aggressor, felt obliged to have him shot."