APRIL 143 



that I have and murdered it. In the morning it was found 

 lying in the holl, its throat torn completely out and half the head 

 eaten, a dreadful and a piteous sight. 



Another lamb was also badly bitten in the leg, but managed 

 to escape back into the fold. Both of these had been sold to the 

 butcher for twenty-nine shillings each, on the understanding that he 

 was to take them when it suited him ; but as they had not been 

 delivered, of course I am liable for the loss. 



The discovery of what had happened filled Hood and myself 

 with consternation, not so much on account of the actual damage 

 as from fear of what might come. It is well known that when 

 once a dog takes to this dreadful practice of lamb-killing he will 

 often travel great distances, and show the most extraordinary 

 cunning, in order to gratify his appetite. I believe it to be hope- 

 less to attempt to break any brute that has acquired this habit ; 

 for him there is only one cure, a rope, and Tusser, who farmed in 

 this country, was of the same opinion three hundred years ago, 

 vide his * March Husbandry ' : 



Of mastiffs and mongrels that many we see, 

 A number of thousands too many there be. 

 Watch therefore in Lent, to thy sheep go and look, 

 For dogs will have victuals by hook or by crook. 



Such hounds, however, hunt only in the dark ; they know better 

 than to work their crimes in the light of day ; therefore it is 

 generally difficult, if not impossible, to identify them. To-night 

 we have arranged to set a watch of men armed with guns, one to 

 be relieved by the other at midnight ; but, even if the dog should 

 not catch their wind and take warning, as there is no moon I very 

 much doubt whether they will be able to see him. 



Worse however than the ravening dog even is the wandering stag 

 that has baffled the pack and is outlying in the woods. Such 

 animals seek the company of in-lamb ewes at night, to sport with 

 them as I suppose. But the ewes do not appreciate the game ; 

 perhaps sheep are superstitious, and in their innocent minds the 

 visitor's great horns, that tail, those cloven hoofs, all point to one 



