8 FOX-HUNTING 



stealthily upon them. The impertinent little 

 prairie-dog squeaked away merrily as usual, and 

 fate crept silently on him from behind. Nearer 

 and nearer crawled ' Tramp,' making no more 

 noise than a cat, and then, when within a yard or 

 two, he made one spring and grabbed his prey by 

 the back. Of course I was delighted with my 

 companion's cleverness and made a great fuss with 

 him, but I never saw a dog more pleased and 

 satisfied with himself. I thought the episode 

 finished, and, having no use for the carcass, rode 

 on and left it behind. A mile or two further on 

 I looked back and found ' Tramp ' was carrying 

 the prairie-dog's body, which must have weighed 

 at least four or five pounds, though there was a 

 scorching sun and we had travelled some distance. 

 When I told him to leave it and come on he 

 put it down, but picked it up again when I went 

 forward. Then I knew that he wanted me to 

 carry his spoil, and though it is an evil-smelling 

 creature, I was obliged to fasten it to the saddle, 

 but was well repaid for my trouble in seeing his 

 delight. I had to carry that body for two days. 

 The terrier did not want to eat the animal, and 

 all he wanted was to see the game bagged that he 



