TRAINED AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS. 4-1 



cies. In other breeds of dogs the better traits have been 

 found to fade and degenerate ; but the excellence of the 

 collie has been so perfectly maintained as to justify the 

 opinion that he is the most perfect of the domestic spe- 

 cies. James Hogg, a Scottish shepherd and poet, called 

 the Ettrick Shepherd, says : 



4. "Well may the shepherd feel an interest in his 

 dog. He it is indeed that earns the family's bread, of 

 which he is himself content with the smallest morsel, al- 

 ways grateful and always ready to exert his utmost abili- 

 ties in his master's interest. Neither hunger, fatigue, nor 

 the worst of treatment will drive him from his side. He 

 will follow him through every hardship without murmur- 

 ing or repining, till he literally falls down dead at his feet." 



5. In tending, driving, and guarding sheep, the shep- 

 herd-dog discovers an intelligence almost human. He 

 obeys the verbal orders of his master, and his acquaint- 

 ance with the individuals of a large flock is truly wonder- 

 ful. Of his faithfulness Scottish writers have recorded 

 numerous instances. Says one : " A shepherd in one of 

 our northern counties had driven part of his flock to a 

 neighboring fair, leaving his dog to watch the remainder 

 during that day and the next night, expecting to see them 

 the following morning. 



6. "Unfortunately, however, the shepherd when at 

 the fair forgot his dog and his sheep, and did not reach 

 home till the morning of the third day. His first inquiry 

 was whether the dog had been seen. The answer was 

 i No.' < Then,' replied the shepherd with a tone and gest- 

 ure of anguish, c he must be dead, for I know he is too 

 faithful to desert his charge.' Instantly he repaired to 

 the heath, when he found the dog just able to crawl. The 

 poor creature crouched to his feet with an expression of 

 joy, and almost immediately expired." 



