216 O'er Crag and Torrent 



to any signal or verbal command is quite 

 astonishing, for their watchful eyes must not 

 only be fixed on the flock they are working 

 and controlling, but they see in a flash the 

 slightest signal of the shepherd, and obey 

 it with alertness. I had always a high 

 appreciation of the sagacity of these four- 

 footed allies of man, but I honestly confess 

 that until I witnessed their performances at 

 various trials, I had not the faintest con- 

 ception that they could be trained to such 

 a pitch of perfection and perform such 

 marvellously clever work, and it really was 

 a fascinating and interesting sight to watch 

 these intelligent creatures performing such 

 duties, and in such meritorious fashion. In 

 the hope that it may prove interesting, I will 

 describe some trials that I witnessed. 



The day was an ideal one, as far as weather 

 was concerned a beautiful clear blue sky 

 overhead and a nice, gentle, southerly breeze 



