92 THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 



flock, to intrude upon his. If any of the sheep 

 attempt to stray, he springs forward in an instant 

 to stop their course. On the side of one of the 

 Welsh mountains, I have seen a shepherd point out 

 to his Dog a straggling Sheep, on a height, more 

 than a mile distant. He gave the well-known 

 signal. The Dog went off at full speed, and soon 

 returned, with the animal, to the flock. These 

 Dogs drive the Sheep entirely by their voice, never 

 lacerating them with their teeth; nor ever employ- 

 ing force, but for the preservation of peace and 

 good order. When awake, they are at all times 

 alive to their master's directions; and, in repose, 

 they lie down by his wallet, and defend it from 

 plunder. If the shepherd be about to absent him- 

 self from the flock, he depends on his Dog to keep 

 the animals together; and if, afterwards, he is 

 heard to give the command, this faithful servant 

 conducts them to him, with promptitude, ^however 

 great the distance. In countries infested by Wolves, 

 he protects them from danger. His voice generally 

 alarms and drives off the enemy, and collects the 

 flock into a body much better than the voice of the 

 shepherd. 



Various instances have been related of the 

 fidelity of this Dog to his master. I shall insert 

 but one. 



In the very severe winter of 1794, as the son of 

 a Mr. Bousted was feeding his father's Sheep, on 

 an extensive common, near Penrith in Cumber- 

 land., 



