I A Gossip on a Sutherland Hill- side 243 



another, in spite of his teeth. But the sight of 

 sights is to watch two shepherds sorting out their 

 respective sheep when their flocks have become 

 mixed together ; and when this takes place on a 

 hill-side, where blue hares are numerous, collie-dog's 

 shrieking struggle between duty and inclination is 

 a study for a moralist ! 



All books are full of the marvels of collie-doggism ; 

 and from what I have myself seen, even Mr. Jesse 

 cannot tell me a story that I will not try to believe. 



Collie-dog's early training is a rude one, but I 

 think that it is mutual, and that the shepherd picks 

 up a good deal of dog during the process. He is 

 too wise to waste his breath in reproving any little 

 outbreak of juvenile impetuosity ; but quietly fills 

 his plaid-neuk full of chucky-stones, with which he 

 pebbles the peccant collie, with a force and accuracy 

 that sends him off on three legs, filling the air with 

 penitent howls. Mark, O tourist, when six collie- 

 dogs burst out upon you from the shepherd's door ; 

 ' mak' as if you were going to pick up a stone, 

 and see how they will extend from the centre, and 

 take cover behind the turf-stack, popping their heads 

 round for an instant to fire a bark at you, and then 

 dodge back like riflemen. 



Neither Donald Dhu nor the collies being at 

 home, we take the liberty of inspecting his habitation. 

 The bothy is some twelve or fourteen feet long, and 

 about four feet high in front, strongly built of stone, 

 and nestled well under the bank, which almost 



