98 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



lie bred and cherished him ; and the memory of Black 

 York is still fresh in his county, not only for his per- 

 fect symmetry, his silky, raven-black hair, but for his 

 gentle, submissive disposition. He was a nervous dog 

 when young, for even a loud word alarmed him, which, 

 combined with his mysterious arrival and an involun- 

 tary affection, induced his master to transfer him from 

 the kennel to the drawing-room. From that time 

 York acquired confidence, and lost his timidity; he 

 first walked out with the nursemaids and children, and 

 then accompanied his master. The latter went one 

 morning to a rushy field, to look at some newly born 

 foals ; and there York pointed to a snipe. The bird 

 rose, and pitched some hundred yards away. York's 

 nose detected him a second time ; he crept on a dozen 

 paces, and couched again. This circumstance beto- 

 kened his natural perfections ; but with his temperament, 

 the firing a gun might be a dangerous trial. He was 

 taken day after day to mark the snipes, and praised for 

 his conduct. After this, his master took his gun and 

 an attendant, with orders to the latter, if York should 

 attempt to levant or run away, he was to catch him in 

 his arms. It occurred as he had anticipated. Poor 

 York was dreadfully frightened ; every limb quivered ; 

 but he was soothed by caresses, and encouraged to go 

 where the dead snipe was lying. In a moment he 

 appeared to comprehend the whole. He smelled the 

 snipe, looked at the gun, then in his master's face, and 

 became bolder when he there saw approbation. Another 

 point, another shot, and another snipe ; and York and 

 his master returned home; the gun was put in the 

 corner, and the snipes close by, on the carpet. A 

 dozen times, while his master was drinking his wine, 



