56 REMIXISCEXCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



stance related in an early part of the English history, 

 and also connected with Denmark, may be here intro- 

 duced, as it proves that one of the landings of the Danes 

 in England was occasioned by the sagacity and affection 

 of a spaniel. " Ladebrock, of the blood royal of Den- 

 mark, and father of Humbar and Hiibba, being in a 

 boat with his hawks and his dog, was by a sudden storm 

 driven on the coast of Norfolk, where, being discovered 

 and suspected of being a spy, was brought to Edmond, 

 king of the East Angles. Making himself l^nown, he 

 was treated with great hospitality by the monarch, and 

 particularly so on account of his dexterous skill in 

 hawking and hunting. The king's falconer was jealous 

 of this attention ; and lest it should lessen his merit in 

 his master's opinion and deprive him of his place, had 

 the treachery to waylay Ladebrock, and murdered him, 

 and concealed the body amongst some bushes. He was 

 presently missed at court, and the king showed great 

 impatience to know what was become of him, when the 

 dog, who had stood in the wood by the corpse of his 

 master till famine forced him thence, came and fawned 

 on the king and enticed him to follow him. The body 

 was found, and by a chain of evidence the murderer 

 was discovered. As a just punishment, he was placed 

 alone in Ladebrock's boat, and committed to the sea, 

 which bore him to the very shore the prince had quitted; 

 the boat was recognised, and the assassin, to avoid the 

 torture, falsely confessed that Ladebrock had been put 

 to death by the order of Edmond, which so exasperated 

 the Danes that to revenge his murder they invaded 

 England." 



Frederick the Great, king of Prussia, was extremely 

 partial to this breed of dogs, and three or four spaniels 

 were his constant companions when he was not engaged 



