SHEEP HUSBANDR\ IJN THE SOUTH. 285 



comes accustomed to their sight, she is allowed to run in a small enclosure with them until 

 she becomes so perfectly familiar with their appearance as to take the entire charge of 

 them. After this they are folded with the whole flock for a fortnight or so, they then run 

 about during the day with the flock, which after a while becomes so accustomed to them, na 

 to be able to distinguish them from other clogs even from those of the same litter which 

 have not been nursed among them. The shepherds usually allow the slut to keep one of 

 a litter for her own particular benefit ; the balance are generally destroyed. 



After the pups are weaned, they never leave the particular drove among which they have 

 been reared. Not even the voice of their master can entice them beyond sight of the ftock; 

 neither hunger or thirst can do it. I have been credibly informed of an instance where a 

 single dog having charge of a small flock of sheep, was allowed to wander with them about 

 the mountains, while the shepherd returned to his village for a few days, having perfect 

 confidence in the ability of his dog to look after the flock during his absence, but with a 

 Rtrange want of foresight as to the provision of the dog for his food. Upon his return to tho 

 flock^he found it several miles from where left, but on the road leading to the village, and 

 the poor faithful animal in the agonies of death, dying of starvation, even in the midst oj 

 plenty ; yet the flock had not been harmed by him. A reciprocal affection exists between 

 them which may put to blush many of the human family. The poor dog recognized 

 them only as brothers and dearly loved friends ; he was ready at all times to lay down 

 his life for them ; to attack not only wolves and mountain cats, with the confidence of vic- 

 tory, but even the bear, when there could be no hope. Of late years, when the shepherds 

 of New Mexico have suffered so much from Indian marauders, instances have frequently 

 occurred where the dog has not hesitated to attack his human foes, and although transfix- 

 ed with arrows, his indomitable courage and faithfulness have been such as to compel his 

 assailants to pin him to the earth with spears, and hold him there until dispatched with 

 stones. 



In the above instance the starving dog could have helped himself to one of his little bro- 

 ther lambs, or could have deserted the sheep, and very soon have reached the settlements 

 where there was food for him. But faithful even unto death, he would neither leave nor 

 molest them, but followed the promptings of his instinct to lead into the settlement; their 

 unconsciousness of his wants and slow motions in traveling were too much for his exhaust- 

 ing strength. 



These shepherds are very nomadic in character. They are constantly moving about 

 their camp equipage consisting merely of a kettle and a bag of meal ; their lodges are made 

 in a few minutes, of branches, &c., thrown against cross-sticks. They very seldom go out 

 in the day-time with their flocks, intrusting them entirely^with their dogs, which faithfully 

 return them at night, never permitting any stragglers behind or lost. Sometimes different 

 flocks are brought into the same neighborhood owing to scarcity of grass, when the wonder- 

 ful instincts of the shepherds' dogs are most beautifully displayed ; and to my astonishment, 

 who have been an eye-witness of such scenes, if two flocks approach 'within a few yards of 



kindly 



happens, if many make a rush and succeed in joining the other flock, the dogs under whose 

 charge they are, go over and bring them all out, but, strange to say, under such circumstances 

 they are never opposed by the other do<*s. They approach the strange sheep only to prevent 

 their own from leaving the flock, though they offer no assistance in expelling the other sheep 

 But they never permit sheep not under canine protection, nor dogs not in charge of sheep, 

 to approach them. Even the same dogs which are so freely permitted to enteiM.heir flocks 

 in search of their own, are driven away with ignominy if they presume to approach them 

 without that laudable object in view. 



Many anecdotes could be related of the wonderful instinct of these dogs. I very much 

 doubt if there are shepherd dogs in any other part of the world except Spain, equal to those 

 of New-Mexico in value. The famed Scotch and English dogs sink into insignificance by 

 the side of them. Their superiority may be owing to the peculiar mode of rearing them, 

 but they are certainly very noble animals, naturally of large size, and highly deserving to be 

 introduced into the United States. A pair of them will easily kill a wolf, and flocks under 

 their care need not fear any common enemy to be found in our country. 



J. H. LYMAN." 



Mr. Kendall* speaks of meeting, on the Grand Prairie, 



a flock numbering seventeen thousand, which immense herd was guarded by a very few 

 men, assisted by a large number of noble dogs, which appeared gifted with the faculty of 

 keeping them together. There was no running about, no bai'king or biting in their system 

 of tactics ; or the contrary, they were continually walking up and down, like faithful senti 

 nels, on the outer side of the flock, and should any sheep chance to stray from its fellows, 

 the dog on duty at that particular post, would walk gently up, take him carefully by the ear 



* Vcl I., p. 268. 



