206 DOG STORIES 



The other anecdote refers to quite a recent 

 date, and the only interest it has, is that it 

 shows how perfectly a dog can exhibit facial 

 expression, and also read at a glance the 

 slightest indications of feeling in the human 

 face. I had a well-broken Irish setter, which 

 was perfectly free of hare or rabbit as to 

 chasing, but he was a sad rascal for all that. 

 I also had at the time a rough Scotch terrier, 

 and the two dogs were great chums. The 

 moment they got the chance they were off 

 together on a rabbit-hunt. Like idiots, they 

 would spend hours in vainly trying to dig 

 rabbits out of their burrows. One day as I 

 was returning home I met the pair in the 

 avenue. They were the very picture of 

 happiness. At first they did not see me, 

 and came joyously on at a trot. The instant 

 they observed me they came to a full stop, 

 some forty yards off. The setter gently 

 wagged his tail, and looked at me with an 

 expression of anxious inquiry. Taking heart, 

 he slowly advanced to within about thirty 

 yards, and then came the varying play of 

 feature which so interested me. He was in 



