A DAY WITH THE PARTRIDGE 191 



her, seldom makes the least mistake. I was not 

 her trainer ; she came into my possession when 

 all but the finishing touches had been put on 

 her education, and some time passed before I 

 learned her ways, or taught her mine. I soon 

 decided, however, that Cora needed unusually 

 gentle treatment to make her a good sporting 

 dog. She differed greatly from any dog I had 

 previously possessed, and had evidently been 

 hardly used in puppyhood. She dreaded the 

 sight of a whip, and cringed and trembled at a 

 single angry word. But by patience I found 

 out most of her little peculiarities, how to 

 humour certain of her whims and to control 

 others ; I found, also, how, by praising and 

 coaxing, to lead her to comprehend that many 

 of her duties were well performed. How faith- 

 fully she has served me ! Hundi-eds of times 

 she has ranged the autumn fields and the wild 

 stretches of the winter moors, and always, 

 obedient as a child, and faithful as only a dog 

 can be, she has delighted in the work for which 

 her training fitted her. Cora is old now ; the 

 jet-black hair of the muzzle and around the eyes 

 is plentifully streaked with grey. Her reputation 

 is great in the village and among the farmers on 

 the countryside ; but a stranger, seeing her trot 

 before me down the street, would hardly take 

 her from me as a gift. " Handsome is as hand- 



