i74 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap, viii, 



where the dog and his master are mutually dependent 

 upon each other. There was nothing to fear if Smut 

 was there ; whether boar or buck you might advance 

 fearlessly to him with the knife, with the confidence 

 that the dog would pin the animal the instant that it 

 turned to attack you ; and when he once obtained his 

 hold he was seldom shaken off until in his old age, 

 when he lost his teeth. Even then he was always one 

 of the first to seize. Although comparatively useless, 

 the spirit was ever willing ; and this courage, poor 

 fellow, at length caused his death. 



The next dog who claims a tribute to his memory 

 is ' Killbuck.' He was an Australian greyhound of 

 the most extraordinary courage. He stood at the 

 shoulder 28 inches high ; girth of brisket, 3 1 inches. 



Instead of the surly and ferocious disposition of 

 Smut, he was the most gentle and affectionate crea- 

 ture. It was a splendid sight to witness the bounding 

 spring of Killbuck as he pinned an elk at bay that no 

 other dog could touch. He had a peculiar knack of 

 seizing that I never saw equalled ; no matter where or 

 in what position an elk might be, he was sure to have 

 him. When once started from the slips it was certain 

 death to the animal he coursed, and even when out of 

 view, and the elk had taken to the jungle, I have seen 

 the dog, with his nose to the ground, following upon the 

 scent at full speed like a foxhound. I never heard 



