■21-2 COLLIES, OR SHEEP DOGS 



Though, as we have seen, Hector was not nearly as 

 intelligent as his father Sirrah, about performing his duties, 

 he would hold tight to what he had been bidden to do, 

 with the stupid obedience of Casabianca. Nothing would 

 turn his attention from his work, or make him lose temper; 

 but he could never learn all sorts of little dodges by 

 which Sirrah managed the sheep, so gave himself twice 

 the trouble that he need have done. 



Still, though he was not a practical dog, Hector was 

 very wide awake in many ways, and at any mention 

 of a cat, sheep, or himself, he would cock his ears, and 

 sit bolt upright with the deepest interest. One evening 

 Hogg told his mother he was going over to one of the 

 hills on St. Mary's Loch, to spend a fortnight with a 

 friend, but that he would not take Hector, as he would 

 either disturb them with his singing, or quarrel with the 

 other dogs. 



Next morning the river had risen high and made so 

 much extra work, that Hogg was prevented from setting 

 out as soon as he had intended. 



When he called Hector to tie him up, the dog was 

 nowhere to be seen. 



' Confound that beast ! ' he exclaimed. ' I'll wager 

 that he has understood what we were saying last night, 

 and has gone to Bowerhope.' 



And so he had, though the river Yarrow, which he had 

 to cross, had swollen into such a torrent that it seemed 

 impossible for any dog to swim it. But there he was 

 when Hogg arrived, sitting like a drowned hen at the 

 end of the house, awaiting his master's arrival with 

 impatience. 



