SAGACITY OF A HOUSE-DOG. 151 



sand, leaving only his eyes exposed. Whether 

 this account refers to any particular species of 

 crabj or to the whole kind, I am not able to ascer- 

 tain. 



I cannot conclude without relating a very singular 

 circumstance that has happened at the parsonage- 

 house, and given Mr. Palmer much uneasiness.* I 

 must begin my story by telling you, that a large 

 house-dog is kept in the yard, who is a sagacious 

 animal ; kind to his friends, but formidable to those 

 whom he regards as the enemies of the family. This 

 dog is let loose of a night. A labourer, who has 

 been employed on the farm long enough to gain 

 some confidence, was entrusted with the key of the 

 barn, and frequently employed to bring sacks of corn 

 from the bam to the house for family use. One 

 night this man went, after the dog, who knew him 

 well, was unchained, and took a sack of corn. The 

 dog attended him very quietly as long as he pursued 

 the path that led to his master's house ; but when he 

 turned his course into the road that led him to the 

 village, he caught hold of his coat and would not let 

 him stir ; as much as to say, " Where are you going 

 with my master's corn ?" The man tried then to go 



* This singular instance of sagacity happened at Church 

 Eden in Staffordshire, and is related on the authority of the late 

 Mr. Sneyd, of Belmont. 



