BLOODHOUNDS SK YE TERRIERS. 281 



the footsteps, which at that hour were plainly visible on the 

 dewy grass. The dog immediately took up the scent, the 

 servants followed, and, after a run of twelve miles, came to a 

 cottage, where both the thieves and the harness were dis- 

 covered. It appeared that the thieves had waded through a 

 tolerably broad but shallow stream : the dog scarcely came 

 to a check here, the scent appearing to remain in the morning 

 mists, which were still hanging on the surface of the water. 

 He went straight across, and at once took up the scent on 

 the opposite side of the river. 



One of the most singular uses to which dogs are put is 

 trutlle hunting. I well remember, in my younger days, a 

 curious old fellow in Sussex who gained his living, ostensibly, 

 by this pursuit. Accompanied by four or five quaint-looking, 

 currish poodles of a small size, he used to follow his trade, 

 and generally hunted out a considerable number of these 

 mysterious but excellent roots. 



The Skye terrier, though so much prized by our English 

 visitors, has by no means the determined, blind courage of 

 the English bull-terrier. Nevertheless there is much quiet 

 intelligence and character in this dog, and if well entered at 

 vermin when young they are useful enough. Like all 

 terriers, though eager hunters, they do not appear to hunt so 

 much to find as to kill ; and when in company with spaniels 

 they are apt to leave the latter to search for the game, while 

 they wait about the runs and outside the bushes, ready to 

 spring upon whatever is started by the spaniels. I have 

 always found this to be the case with my own Skye terriers, 

 and have observed it in others. These dogs generally take 

 the water freely and well, though I have had smooth bull- 

 terriers better swimmers and divers than any rough dog I 

 ever possessed. 



Though dogs often disagree, and are jealous of each other 

 at home, they generally make common cause against a 

 stranger. Two of my dogs, who were such enemies and 

 fought so constantly that I could not keep them in the same 

 kennel, seemed to have compared notes, and to have found 

 out that they had both of them been bullied by a large, 

 powerful watch-dog belonging to a farmer in the neighbour- 

 hood. They suspended their own hostilities, and formed an 

 alliance, and then they together assaulted the common 

 enemy; and so well assisted each other, that although he 

 was far stronger than both my dogs put together, he was so 



