98 Trmisactions of the [Sess. 



own, ought to be added, " nor anybody's friends, — not even their 



own." 



And now for our particular friends. And first, a word about 

 dogs. A great deal has been written concerning these animals ; 

 but notwithstanding this, we are tempted to say a word or two 

 regarding Twist, seeing we consider he is entitled to be placed on 

 a higher pedestal than the most of even clever dogs. He was the 

 size of an ordinary terrier, and had short bandy legs, and a broad 

 powerful chest. He would have been positively ugly were it not 

 for his intelligent-looking face, which made one forget all about his 

 make. He was of no particular breed, but of that serviceable class 

 known as mongrel. His first exploit came about in this wise. In 

 a district where dairies are unknown, we had, in common with 

 other lads, to bring our supply of milk every morning from a 

 neighbouring farm. On these journeys our constant companion 

 was a small terrier of the softer breed, which had only its affec- 

 tionate nature and pretty appearance to recommend it. One morn- 

 ing it was set upon by a large watch-dog and severely worried ; 

 and not only so, but this was repeated on every possible subse- 

 quent occasion, so that reluctantly we thought it the best plan to 

 leave Foxey at home. _He appeared so hurt at this, however, that 

 it was resolved to try and get Twist to form one of the party, 

 knowing that if he did so the proceedings would, so far as we were 

 concerned, be pleasantly varied. Strange to say, the expected 

 happened. It was a rich treat to see Foxey's behaviour as we 

 approached the place where the enemy usually lay in wait. In- 

 stead of cowering at the heel, he got briskly to the front — always, 

 however, keeping an eye on his friend's movements. The big dog, 

 who had as usual been in ambush, came on with a rush, and did 

 not observe the addition to the party until it was too late, for before 

 he could beat a retreat, which he seemed inclined to do, he was 

 pounced upon by Twist, and received then and there such a 

 thrashing, as ensured our passing and repassing daily the scene of 

 the conflict, without receiving any unpleasant attentions on the 

 part of the once dreaded foe. On another occasion a message was 

 received that Twist's services were in instant requisition in connec- 

 tion with the relief of a terrier which had been put into a cask for 

 the purpose of killing a couple of rats : but a hitch had occurred, 

 and by the dog's cries it seemed as though the proceedings were 

 being reversed, and that the rats were having the best of it. Twist 

 was without ceremony lifted, and was dropped, nothing loth, into 

 the cask, when the rats received their quietus in a couple of bites, 

 and immediately thereafter there arose from the cask an unearthly 

 howl that told at once its own tale. Twist, from insuflScient in- 

 structions, was under the impression that he had to kill all the 

 occupants of the cask, and having despatched the rats, immediately 



